Making choices and social factors in motavition

below is a link to a plenary talk by Ema Ushioda at IATEFL 2010. Ema talks about the importance of 2 key factors in motivating us to learn.

The first is choice. If we get to choose what we do and how do it we are more likely to commit to it. At a micro level this suggests that we are more likely to learn from situations we have chosen ( eg paying for language classes) than those which are imposed (classes at school or sponsored by our employer) At the micro level this suggests that in a classroom or other learning exoperience we will be more motivated if we are able to make choices about what we do and how we do it. A teacher can help this by asking questions such as: "would you like me to correct you in this conversation?" or "would you like to learn this vocabulary in class now or later at home?"

The second is socialisation. We are motivated by a desire to fit in with our peer group or wider social context. In the context of learning in a language class this may mean that our fellow students are likely to have as much or more influence on our motivation than our teacher. The motivation levels of my classmates will directly affect mine. This may seem like common sense, but the role of learners helping each other to learn may be underestimated by teachers. Teachers can build peer motivation by taking an interest in attendance and participation of all students, fostering collaborative and competitive activities, encouraging students to work to goals such as a public examination and paying attention to the social dynamics of the classroom.



http://iatefl.britishcouncil.org/2010/sessions/2010-04-10/plenary-session-ema-ushioda