Ways to get students excited about learning english

INTRODUCTION1.1.The reason of choosing the topic According to Article 28 of the education law: “The method ofgeneral education must promote the students' activeness, self-awareness,init

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1.The reason of choosing the topic

According to Article 28 of the education law: “The method ofgeneral education must promote the students' activeness, self-awareness,initiative and creativity; suitable to the characteristics of each class andsubject; fostering self-study methods, teamwork ability; practice skills toapply knowledge into practice; impact on emotions, bring joy, interest in

learning for students.”[1]

Documents ,however,about the innovation in teaching are not much,and often only used in making requirements with testing andevaluation.Besides that,many teachers still use the traditional method oftransmitting knowledge, presentations, and expainations.They have notreally focused on innovating teaching methods to create excitement forstudents If the situation continues regularly, students will be disgustedwith the subject,which can result in Education targets will not beachieved

As an English teacher at Hoang Le Kha High School,from my ownobservation, I realize that the majority of the students of English classesreally have strong motivation to study English while those in other classessuch as History,Math,Physics,Biology or Literature,etc… have nomotivation as well as interest in learning the subject.That learners don’tfind lessons interesting enough,that the lessons in their coursebooks,somehow,lack authenticity as well as the amount of exessivegrammar in each unit seem to be some of the reasons accounting for this.It

is from this fact,making students engaged in a subject can be a realchallenge Having identified the problem,I have tried to search forsollutions to make a boring lesson an interesting one so that studentsreally show more enthusiasm and excitement in engaging in the lesson

Thus,in this writing,I would like to present my ideas “ways to get students excited about learning English” with the hope that my

collegues can also consider my teaching strategies as useful suggestions tohelp their students become more interested and confident in learningEnglish

1.2 Aims of the research

This paper aims :

-To introduce some ways to create excitement for students and how to organize the activities effectively

-To improve the quality of teaching and learning English in high school

1.3 Object of the Research

This subject focus on students at Hoang Le Kha High School to help them to renew interest in learning the language

1.4 Methods of study

- Finding out difficulties that students have in English classes

- Reading reference books

- Discussing with my colleagues

- Attending classes of co-workers

- Applying ideas in teaching

- Observing and drawing out experiences

2 CONTENTS

2.1.Rationale of the study.

Researches on Second Language Acquisition have shown thatlanguage is best learned through the close collaboration andcommunication among students This type of collaboration results inbenefits for all or both learners In fact, learners can help each other whileworking on different types of tasks such as writing dialogues, interviews,drawing pictures and making comments about them, play roles, etc… tobreaking the monotony of learning,increasing the involvement of the

students Dornyei (2001) highlights the importance of the "motivational

flow" when talking about the general rhythm and sequence of events inclass and he considers that it is important to make students activeparticipants and suggests selecting tasks which require mental or bodilyinvolvement of each participant and creating specific rules and

personalized assignments for everybody [2]

In language learning,excitement is generally considered to be one

of the primary causes of success and failure in language learning.Organizing activities and creating English environment at the variousstages of the lesson really appear to promote students' involvement in theEnglish class Moreover, boredom and tiredness have been driven away bythe fun during the lessons these kinds of activities Realizing the importantroles of motivational activities in teaching English is the rationale of mystudy

As an educator, wanting the best for the students, I understand that it

is essential to keep students motivated in order to achieve the best learningresults as possible They are some of the reasons why I have the

initiative : “Ways to get students excited about learning English”

2.2 Practical basis.

Having teaching English at Hoang Le Kha High School for manyyears, I have noticed English is probably one of the most challengingsubjects that often create high levels of anxiety and stress among learnershere The fact is that those who were usually bored or not interested in theEnglish class did not engage enough in class work, which leads to slowacquisition, unequal power in school They seem to feel discouraged andoften neglect it.It is these problems that urge me to find out the solutions tohelp students get over the challenges and hold interest in the foreignlanguege in a flexible and easy manner To know exactly about thisproblem,I investigated 175 students in 5 classes 10C1 ,10C2 ,10C3,10C5

and 11B8 before applying “ways to get students excited about learning” by asking them the following questions:

SURVEY QUESTIONAIRE

1 Do you like learning English?

A.very like B.like C.normal D.dislike

2 Honestly speaking,which one or which ones of the following

factors are your expectations and interests regarding learning

English as a foreign language this semester? 

A.reinforcing through grammar lessons and more extra

excercises

B.learning through games,videos/clips and interacts in class

C doing nothing, leave the things like that

And I got the bellow result

Grade students Total very like like normal dislike

As can be seem from the tables that most of the students seem not

to like English lessons with the current teaching method of their teacherand they express their preferences with suggested learning strategies of

choice B.From these reason,the study entitled “ways to get students excited about learning English” has been conducted as a motivation and a

means of creating opportunities for simple communication in Englishlessons with the objective of involving students' more participation

2.3 Ways to get students excited about learning English.

games should be included in the lesson are:

- Games that are amusing and challenging are highly motivating

- Games allow meaningful use of the language in context

However ,the teacher needs to consider which games to use,when touse them,how to link them up with the syllabus,texbook and programmeand how,more specially,different games with with benefit student in

different ways.(Khan J,1996) [4]

*Forms of playing

-in pairs-in small groups of four or five-in large groups of two tables/each left or right hand side.-in two groups(2 teams devided from the whole class)-in individual with class/teacher

*Name of activity: Chit chat (with the help of picture)

*This activity is used in the warm-up stage of the lesson.

*Prepare the pictures describing daily activities and questions relating

to the pictures

*PICTURES [5]

*Some questions:

What time do you get up?

What time do you go to school What do you often do in the morning/in the afternoon? What do you often do at(+time)?

What is each member in the family doing?

Who are the people in the picture?

Before showing the pictures to the class ,the teacher can start bygiving the clear instructions that students look at the pictures and answerthe questions about the pictures with the teacher.(call on 3-4 ones to do it)

After showing the pictures and getting their answers for the firsttime,the teacher can writes some key new words and how to tell the time

on the board to help the students explain the information in the pictureseasily

New words/structures

-How to tell the time [5] Example: [5]

It's six o'clock.

t's half past six It's quarter past six It's quarter to seven.

5 sweep the house

After the students have mastered how to tell the time and are able toanswer all the given questions,the teacher can lead in the topic of the unitwhich is teaching students with special needs A DAY IN THE LIFEOF…

Example 2 English 11: Unit 6.COMPETITION

Part C-Listening [8]

*Name of activity: Brainstorming ideas

*This activity is used in the warm-up stage of the lesson

*Prepare the pictures and questions relating to the goal of activities.

PICTURES [ 5]

amateur and professional runners Every year

In 1897, USA one of the world's best-known road racing

After looking at these pictures, students understand that the will hear

some information about Boston marathon Then teacher should ask

students some questions such as:

1 What is the Boston Marathon?

2 When did it begin?

3 Where do you think the Boston Marathon might take place?

4 How often is it held?

5 Who do you think can take part in the Boston race?

These questions help students activate their existing knowledge about

Boston Marathon

Expected answer

-> The important information related to Boston marathon students provide

helps not only raise their interest but also easily catch the details mentioned

in while-listening

-> By setting up the context, Teacher provides the background

information-an experience in a fire to encourage students to listen attentively, so they

will be better prepared to make sense of what they hear

Example 3: English 10: Unit 2.SCHOOL TALKS

Part E-Language Focus [7]

*Name of the activity: knowledge quiz questions

*This activity is used as a sum-up activity at the end of the unit

5

*Language aim: The activity can create a positive atmosphere for quick

review of the question words with their function and help students knowhow to make questions in small talks correctly.It also helps improvelistening and speaking ability for students

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Things to prepare

- A set of questions which are in the form of specific-answer question

- Two packets of candies as prizes for the winners. 

Step 2: How to organize

- Divide students into two teams ,A and B

-Introduce a set of the rules of the mini game

▪The time limit is 5-7

▪There are 15 asked questions

▪The answering time is as fast as they can,only max 30 seconds

▪The team discussion is allowed

▪The players of each team listen and try to answer as quickly as possible.If they cannot answer the question, the teacher can pass the questio

▪A correct answer will get ONE point

▪The team with the most points will win the game

Note : In case of tie between 2, further 3 questions would be asked for final

selection

These are the questions and expected answers

answers

1 What is Vietnamese national costume for women? Ao dai

2 Which letters refers to the shape of VN on the map? S

3 How old was uncle Ho when he passed away? 79

7 Which island is the largest in VN? phu quoc island

8 What type of climate is in VN? tropical climate

9 What makes up 70% of earth’s surface? water/sea

10 In wich season does Uncle Ho born? Summer

district

12 What is the highest mountain in the world? Everest

13 In Vn ,which telephone number do you call when

there is a fire?

114

14 Who is considered to be the King of Football? Pele

15 When was the first man steps on the Moon? 21st July

1969(Neil Amstrong,USA)

Further 3 questions

1 Who is the husband of the queen? King

2 When was the first man steps on the Moon? 21st July 1969(Neil

Amstrong,USA)

3 Which ocean is the deapest in the world? Pacifics

Set 3: Start the game

-After finishing the game,the teacher claims which team is thewinner and give participants two prepared packets of candies as a prize.ifthe time is still,the teacher can retell the function of the question words asfollow

Part A- Reading [7]

*Name of the activity: Matching ( pictures with descriptions )

*This activity is used before the lesson as a warm-up activity

*Language aim: The activity can create a positive atmosphere for quick

review of the name of land animals and have an idea about their facts

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Things to prepare

- A set of pictures of land animals and descriptions

- Two packets of Candies as prizes for the winners. 

Step 2: How to organize

- Divide students into two teams ,A and B

-Show the pictures and its description seperatedly on the screen and ask students work together in their groups in order to put the right coorperation-Each group appoints a student as a presenter to write down their answer onthe black board as soon as they can

- The first group to finish with more correct answers will win the game

These are prepared pictures and their descriptions for the game [5]

1.Monkey

It is very big.It’s strong.It’s grey.It lives

in Africa.It eats leaves.It has got four legs

2.Penguin

It is very small.It has got a long tail.It lives in nearly all countries.It likes cheese

B A

It’s very long.It has not got any legs.It eats small animals.It is sometimes dangerous

4.Snake

It can run very fast.It has got a long neck.I t eats leaves.It has got four long legs

7.Seagull

It looks like a horse.It lives in Africa It eats grass.It has got black and white stripes

8.Elephant

It has got fingers.Itcan climb trees.It is brown.It lives on nuts and fruit.It lives

in Africa and Asia

Step 3: Organise the game

H G

F E D C

-After finishing the game, the teacher feedbacks and gives correct answers.

*Name of the activity: Crossword

*This activity is used in the middle of the lesson as a task.

*Language aim: The activity can create a positive atmosphere for word

study about TV progams and improve group work ability

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Things to prepare

- Handouts with a crossword which has 10 horizontal and one vertical

line.The word in the the vertical line is made up of 10 letters in the the 10 horizontal lines

-Information and definition of the words in the horizontal line

- Two packets of Candies as prizes for the winners. 

Step 2: How to organize

- Arrange students to work in small groups of 4 menbers

- Give each group a handout and tell them to work together in their groups

to complete the crossword

- The time limit for the game is 5 mn

-The first group to finish with more correct answers within the least time wil be the winner

9.

10

Here are information and definitions of the crossword

1. The program in which people come and discuss various topics

2. A person who watches TV

3. Transmitted directly to audiences at the time of the performance rather than being recorded

4. A short film of adverts

5. A motion picture film

6. You should watch this program if you want to get advice on house to dress well

7. You can get football results from this program

8. You can request songs through this program

9. This program makes you laugh

10 This program updates you with current affairs that happening

domestically and internationnal

Step 3: Have the class participate in the activity

-After finishing the game, the teacher feedbacks and gives correct answers

a vertical line “ TELEVISION”

-Declare which group is the winner and give its participants the preparedgift as a prize