Pedagogical methods to motivate young learners and teenagers

There are some methods to motivate young learners and teenagers.

Different games, visuals, kinaesthetic activities and singing are valuable tools for motivating young learners and teenagers. When used strategically and in conjunction with sound pedagogical principles, these methods can create an enriching and stimulating learning environment that caters to diverse learning styles and preferences.

Let us consider some of them to illustrate how they can help teacher to engage young learners into activities.

Games

Games provide an interactive and enjoyable learning experience. They promote active participation and competition, fostering a sense of engagement and excitement. Furthermore, games often incorporate elements of teamwork and cooperation, enhancing social interaction and communication skills.

For example: Snakes and Ladders. Students use the dice to get to the task box. The task can be to hop on your left leg, touch your nose, sit down etc. The winner is the one who completes all tasks.

Draw a figure. Two teams of participants receive cards. Each card contains a task: draw a big head, draw small ears, draw short legs etc. Different teams get different adjectives. Participants line up and at the signal, they begin to draw a figure. The team that is faster and more correct is a winner.

Visuals

Visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, and videos are powerful tools for conveying information. Visuals can also stimulate curiosity and imagination, creating a dynamic and interactive learning environment. Additionally, they cater to visual learners, enhancing comprehension and retention.

For example: Making a spidergram. There are two drawings hanging on the board: a forest and a sea. The student receives a picture of an animal and he must decide around which drawing he should locate his picture.

Singing chants

Chants are a valuable motivational tool for young learners and can be effective for teenagers as well, especially when integrated appropriately into the curriculum. By balancing their use with other engaging activities and considering the cultural and age appropriateness, teachers can harness the potential of chants to create an interactive and dynamic learning environment.

Using Jazz Chants by C. Graham can be very helpful. Students not only drill phrases and expressions but they can also act it out. Chants are easy to learn and they contain everyday speech expressions.