Motivating Millennial Students

Motivation has been a major problem for most teachers of English as a Foreign Language. Motivation in the classroom is easily one of the most important factors as I'm sure most teachers would agree with me. The main reason I'm coming to this point of view is that most of our students, mainly the new generations, have low motivation to learn English. In addition to that, while most of them have a vague sense that whether "English will be useful for my future" or not, they don't have a clear idea of what that means, nor is that a very strong motivator; it's too vague and too far off.

To deal with this problem of motivation, teachers need to understand and appreciate the role and importance of motivation in any learning. As long as, it is considered the fact that students' needs and interests play an essential role in the teaching-learning process, the purpose of teaching a significant content would help them in their future; particularly if the concepts taught, can be related to their lives as well as connected with previous background, thus allowing meaningful learning. 

Moreover, the responsible use of technological resources as support tool, not only increase their eagerness to learn but also engage them completely at the moment of learning, as the new generations of students can manage the technology properly. Since some schools are equipped with various audio visual materials such as cassette recorders, netbooks, projectors, boards and many others, teachers should use these materials when teaching. Indeed, they should include the appropriate material to use while planning their lessons.

Nowadays, it is known that sometimes it gets difficult to get most of the students involved in every single class though it is not impossible. So, in order to encourage them it is necessary to know the students’ needs and all the things that call their attention as it would improve the atmosphere in the classroom as well as teachers will receive the fruits of their efforts.