English is cool!

English is cool!
We, as teachers, are often charged with the responsibility of motivating our students. Motivation, though, is something that comes from the individual and, just like learning,cannot be given. We can and should, however, nurture an environment which is conducive to motivation.
Passion is contagious
It is crucial that students can sense your enthusiasm for your subject, somake it obvious that you are wild about your subject. I have the privilege of teaching not only English but also German. The latter is a subject which has a poor image in Denmark, where I teach. Ihonestly do not know why, as I love German and regularly tell my students and their parents that 'Deutsch ist cool!' Learners admire passion; it is contagious.
Humanity and humour are key
Teachers mustdevelop a respectful relationship with each and every student and expect them to succeed to the maximum of their ability. Share your own personal language experiences with your students. Make it obvioushow language learning has added to your life. And make it explicit that you expect them to feel as enthusiastic as you. At the same time remember that 'listening to a person is the single mostpowerful transaction that occurs between ourselves and another person that tells that individual that we accept him as a human being' (Wlodkowski, 1986:28).
Humour is an often neglected but very importantelement in a secure learning environment. Humour does not mean telling jokes and playing the clown (although both are permissible from time to time). Humour has more to do with the teacher having arelaxed attitude and not taking him/herself too seriously. This means that the teacher has to be comfortable with his/her self image and ability.
Competition is intimidating
I work with teenagersevery day. They are often very insecure people battling to come to terms with their own self-perceived failings. In many language classrooms these same insecure people are requested to indulge in...