Motivating the unmotivated

This is the title of a video seminar by Ken Wilson that I think is really well-worth watching. Ken is the former director of the English Teaching Theatre and is a highly experienced teacher, teacher-trainer and author of more than thirty ELT titles.
He first outlines the six key motivational factors that have the most significant bearing on a student’s motivation in the classroom:
1. Teacher enthusiasm
2. Feeling of encouragement from the teacher
3. A sense that the teacher really believes in the student’s progress and success
4. Genuine involvement of the teacher, maintaining good class and group
relationships
5. Supportive, safe and secure atmosphere
6. Valuing student ideas and participation, encouraging autonomy, giving students the chance to make the classroom space their own

Ken then goes on to suggest ten ways to motivate students giving practical suggestions for all of them:

• Make them curious
• Challenge them
• Avoid the obvious
• Devolve responsibility
• Teach unplugged (occasionally)
• Let students use their tech and their tech skills
•  …AND their imagination
• Find out what they know and what they’re good at
• Take a break
• Turn your classroom into a spider’s web