To Learn Or Not To Learn

Is English Language such a sleepy subject?

What can a teacher do to attract the interest of his students to learn English Language? I mean, it's not like I have been complacent all my teaching life not to realize their needs to things that are new. It's not like I ignore their desire for things that challenge their critical and creative abilities. And at the same time, it's not like I ignore the syllabus set by the Ministry.

Moreover, I can safely and happily say that I am the only English teacher in this school, or even in this area, who teaches English Language using modules which are related to the chapters stipulated in the school textbooks. I have poured for hours on the modules by surfing for suitable materials on the Internet; netizens will attest that it is not easy to find suitable and at the same time, credible materials. I have spent countless hours creating activities based on these materials that I collect; activities which include reading comprehension, vocabulary building, text completion, grammar activities and even activities for enrichment.

However, my hard work is all in vain because the results that I have been expecting is not materialising. Students seem to misplace the modules that I give them. They don't seem to complete their work. On top of that, they don't even bother to hand in their exercise books. All these, in spite of my many futile attempts to get them to do so.

I am willing to change,yet again, what ever that is necessary to get my students to enjoy learning English Language once again, just like my former students, many years ago. I am willing to change! But are my students willing to do the same?

Effort Unappreciated

The Good, The Bad and The Totally Bad

You are always encouraged to the point of being forced, to prepare resource materials, especially ones that would attract the students' interest to learn, in this case English Language. And you, either out of obligation or sheer interest, spend your precious time and money to do just that and more, so your students would get, not only to acquire the language, but in doing so, undertake activities that challenge their knowledge and also their creativity.

And to allow these students the opportunity to complete your tasks, you give them ample time to finish the task; not one day, not two, but more than a week. And to make things even easier for them, they are allowed to complete the tasks in groups of as many as four people.

However, all your planning and your research in creating educational resource materials for your students fall flat in your face because none of your students made any attempt to check out your resource materials, let alone complete the tasks. It really is disheartening when you think that the only reason you go all out to produce these materials is to allow your students the chance to improve their proficiency in the language. It just makes you feel like going back to the more conventional method of 'chalk and talk'! Only when I talk, I would want them to keep quiet. And the chalk, I would not use it to write on the board!

Improving Your Englsh Language

Learning a second language, without doubt, is a daunting task, not least because it is a totally different language with different grammatical structures, but also because learners see no possible need to use the language.

What ever the reason, learning a second language will definitely depend on the learner's desire and willingness to learn. Of course, with purpose for the language will come the need to learn, but the learner himself or herself will have to find or create that opportunity to use the language because opportunity to use the language is something that the learner has to find and not given on a silver platter! No pain, no gain!