As one of the world’s most prevalent languages, learning English forms an essential part of education. But that doesn’t mean all pupils will take to it, so what can you do as a teacher to enhance engagement and foster a love of English in your classroom?

Here we look at how you can motivate your pupils and encourage them to strive for greater success with the use of games, personalised approaches and a range of other top tips.

Motivation starts with you

Teachers should be role models for the pupils they teach, so you should always be aware that your actions in the classroom are being closely scrutinised. If you come across as a highly motivated and passionate individual when teaching, that will reflect onto your students.

Look to approach every text, activity and lesson with enthusiasm, and regularly hold feedback and discussion sessions to check that pupils have an understanding.

How can you use games in English lessons?

Avoiding monotony in lessons is key to boosting engagement, and making classes fun and memorable is crucial when looking to foster a love of learning. This is when games can be incredibly useful. Many youngsters learn via play and from being active, so could you implement a game rather than a simple worksheet activity?

Language and vocabulary can be explored via picture cards, drawing or acting, or by introducing a slightly different element to learning. For example, primary teachers may wish to use noises or images, with pupils then required to write the correct descriptive words relating to what they see or hear. Acting out scenes from plays or dramatic texts is another way to bring a lesson to life.

Demonstrate the importance of English

Pupil engagement is often far higher when they can apply what they are learning to real-life settings. This can be easier with languages, when compared to other subjects, as the amount of tools and resources at your disposal are greater. You may want to look to the world of media to explore how the English language is used for example, from looking at newspaper headlines to the sort of words used in news reports and videos. You could get your pupils to create their own snappy headlines when looking at the power of certain words and phrases. Alternatively, you could delve into the world of creating fully accessible video and audio with older classes.

Another way to enhance engagement is by showing how a knowledge of English can enhance career options. The vast majority of work environments require a basic level of language skills, so you can highlight to pupils that pathways towards their dream careers might be dependent on what you are teaching them.

Put an emphasis on learning and communication

The best way to learn English effectively is to use the language and to encourage learners to do so at every opportunity. Emphasise the benefits of reading a range of different texts and websites, while also encouraging discussion at set times within lessons. Not only does this enable pupils to ask questions and reinforce their understanding, but it also enables you to monitor their progress.

Using group activities can also help with vocabulary development, as you might find that pupils are more comfortable talking to their peers in small groups, compared to standing up and saying something in front of the whole class. Ultimately, teachers should use a mix of methodologies when teaching English, as it is the best approach to ensure the maximum level of engagement in every lesson.