How can I make a student love English again?
Recently, I was working as a tutor for a student who is going to take part in the university entrance examination a year later. Her English is just ok, but it is still far away from level that the exam required. She has got enough for the settled grammar rules and other massive things. She just lost the enthusiasm and the pacient to learn the language. I often encourage her, but it seems that I just comfort her. And I can feel that she really want to learn it well but don't know how to. People are different, so the way that I told her seems to make little difference. Who can tell me how can I let her know that she is reaaly good and she can do it? I'm truely want to stimulate her get the fervent to English again !

Question

How can I make a student love English again?
 Recently, I was working as a tutor for a student who is going to take part in the university entrance examination a year later. Her English is just ok, but it is still far away from level that the exam required. She has got enough for the settled grammar rules and other massive things. She just lost the enthusiasm and the pacient to learn the language. I often encourage her, but it seems that I just comfort her. And I can feel that she really want  to learn it well but don't know how to. People are different, so the way that I told her seems to make little difference. Who can tell me how can I let her know that she is reaaly good and she can do it? I'm truely want to stimulate her get the fervent to English again !

Answer

Yes, people are different but learning always can be fun. So try to do it from another angle and like srgause says, it's better when you focus your attention on things that she already likes... to make English more interesting. 
But hey ! we are not talking here about an 8 years old , of course you can do whatever is in your hands to help her but she has to want your help in the first place and if she doesn't, there's not much you can do; she's the boss there, depends only on her.

^^

Answer

What are her strengths? Is she great at learning vocabulary words, or maybe does better with listening skills, etc? Try focusing on what she's good at so that she feel successful. Once she starts feeling more empowered with the language, she'll try to learn the aspects that are more difficult. You want to keep her from feeling discouraged and defeated... it's difficult to keep trying when you feel like you are always failing.

Hope that helps!

Answer

Hi Joy
I can imagine a student in her age ..you can't force her to do what she doesn't want to ..if she is confident  I think that you have to challenge her to do some tasks ...if she is lazy make your lessons funny"if she laughs she will understand better"..if she is unsure help her to realise that she can pass that exam ..

Answer

Personally, I think that the best way that can motivate ESL learners and help them learn the language is the Internet. In fact, there are many great websites that provide interesting resources and materials such as stories, games, grammar worksheets, listening activities, etc... There are also other websites that learners use to communicate with natives through forums and chatrooms. 
You can advise your student to use these websites if you want her to be motivated. She should take full advantage of this technology if she wants to pass the university entrance examination. :) 
Good luck!

Answer

Hi Joy, this student needs to have a goal/career in life which involves her knowing the English language, eg tourist guide, working in  big hotel, translator etc.  I have just read a novel called "The English class" by a Chinese Australian author called Ouyang Yu. It is  about a truck driver in China who wanted to go to university to learn English. He ends up by living in Australia just like Ouyang Yu. Go to www.ouyangyu.com for more details if you are interested.

Answers · 5

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