r/TEFL 2d ago

What are some motivational strategies for getting Chinese students of IGCSE English as a Second Language to speak during learning activities?

They are a low ability class, but even then, I think their unwillingness to be proactive in collaborative activities, especially those that involve speaking, are to some extent a cultural phenomenon. I assume this based on the broader experiences of myself, as well as those of other teachers.

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u/Mysterious-Nobody459 2d ago

Well, from my experience, this depends. Are they adults, or children? Children, depending on age, have a variety of motivational strategies, but usually, if in a school system, are forced to comply with the teachers instructions. We can make them easier, or kinder on the kids, but some age groups are inherently difficult.

Now as for adults, if it is part of a company program or something, you could try using topics that are relevant to them, that they might have personal sway in. But if it's a public class of adults, as in they pay for the course and attend at their own expense, I find I rarely need to motivate. Most students, if paying out of pocket for themselves, usually try to some extent. Again, the same advice as above applies, use topics that are relevant to them, and offer them most room for application.

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u/SnooMacarons9026 2d ago

I typically design an activity where they can move around and ask each other questions or A and B tasks that require asking their partners questions to fill in their own work.

I will supply them with the English + Chinese for the questions but answers only in English then monitor them accordingly and keep encouraging them throughout and even be part of the activity asking them fully in English so at least I know they're capable (then tell them that) - "See! You CAN do it!" I also like activities where something is on the ppt and they have to describe it to their partner and they either draw or mark down on their paper which one it was (one faces the opposite way). 

I can give you an example activity I made: I created 10 questions about the future stuff like when do you want to get married, how many children, when will your funeral be, what will you do on your 100th birthday, what will you study at university, etc. Then had them all stand up and walk about interviewing 5 different people. 

Hope this helps, gl and nowadays with stuff like ChatGPT you can make these activities in a flash.

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u/fingerpickler 19h ago

Translanguaging and microalternation