While English is one of the most interesting subjects, students often lose their enthusiasm for it as the year progresses. This is mainly because English has many demanding aspects, such as reading comprehension, interpretation, and literary analysis, which can often lead to boredom and frustration among students.
If you want to know how to stay motivated in English class throughout the year and tackle each challenge like a boss, here are the top strategies:
1. See Assignments as Personal Goals
If English assignments look like chores to you, try thinking of them as personal goals to stay motivated during English lessons.
Set achievable goals instead of rushing the process. Rather than aiming for perfection in every essay, set a target of learning five new words every day and practicing using them in conversations with your classmates. Step outside of your curriculum by reading novels that are not in your syllabus.
When you’re doing all this work, remember to track your progress and measure your improvement. Noticing positive changes will encourage you further.
2. Learn From a Tutor
If you are a parent and your child is making little progress in English class, consider English Tutoring for Your Child from a reliable platform that offers one-on-one tutoring.
Pick a tutor that offers a range of support according to your child’s needs, including vocabulary, essay writing, comprehension, grammar, school assignments, or preparation for higher education exams like IELTS and SAT.
These tutors offer personalized attention and shape the curriculum according to the learner’s specific strengths and weaknesses. They also provide instant constructive feedback, unlike school teachers, to identify mistakes and reinforce correct habits from the start.
3. Engage with the Material
When studying English, you need to not only follow grammar rules but also engage with interesting texts, including poetry and prose.
Engaging with the subject by reading novels and plays helps you foster creative thinking and lets you express your thoughts better.
When reading stories, consider what motivates each character’s choices to understand their personalities. Discuss movies, articles, and podcasts with peers to share ideas and expand your learning horizons.
To stay motivated, you have to think of English as more than just a subject.
4. Break Down Big Assignments
If you have big assignments, such as an essay, a research project, or reading a classic novel, ahead of you, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed.
You can overcome this feeling by breaking down the big task into smaller, more manageable pieces. This approach will not only keep you motivated but also help you complete the assignment in no time.
For instance, instead of reading a novel in one sitting, read 2-3 chapters a day and summarize the overall message. Split essay writing into different stages: brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and revising.
5. Implement Active Learning
If you just read books or listen to lectures passively, it’s easy to zone out and lose focus. Using active learning strategies, such as taking notes and talking with the teacher, helps you stay focused and learn better.
Additionally, you can share your perspective with your classmates to exchange viewpoints and broaden your understanding. Explain concepts to friends and family to clarify your own understanding. Lastly, create flashcards and build mind maps to help you remember information and plan your essays more effectively.
6. Seek Feedback in Class
Remember to ask your teachers for feedback on assignments as soon as they grade them. Don’t hesitate to speak up in class and ask questions. Nobody will judge you for speaking up.
Participate in group discussions at school to overcome the fear of expressing yourself in a social setting. Such teamwork fosters a sense of community, making English classes more interesting and easier to understand.
7. Avoid Burnout
Burnout is a common phenomenon that drops students’ motivation. Studies show that burnout causes students to score around 25% lower GPA than usual.
To prevent burnout, create a balanced routine for studying English and all other subjects, allowing you to review each one adequately without feeling overwhelmed.
Take short breaks in between study sessions instead of trying to power through. Create different slots for reading and writing tasks. Practice physical activity to stay healthy and get adequate sleep.
8. Balance Structured and Creative Parts
There are two aspects to English: a structured academic aspect (grammar, citations, essay formats) and a creative aspect (storytelling, self-expression, and interpretation). You need to balance both to stay motivated and truly master the subject. You can remain enthusiastic about English only if you focus on both discipline and creativity.
Final Thoughts
These easy-to-implement strategies will help you stay motivated in English lessons. In the end, don’t treat learning English as a chore, and don’t be afraid to ask for all the support you need, whether from teachers, peers, or private tutors.
