How do you motivate Grade6s to study English?

[gela412]

It's quite difficult to teach Grade6s and get them motivated to study English  :(
I do use a lot of visuals and video clips to interest them... But their attention span doesn't seem to last long...

Are there any good ways to make them enjoy English class?
Any tips?

[Yu_Bumsuk]

By mid-October their elementary school learning is basically over as far as they're concerned, apart from MS entrance exams which don't really mean a lot. 12-year-olds, with a high capacity for both implicit and explicit learning, are probably at a stage when they're capable of learning a language faster than at any stage in their lives. However few of them have any desire to do so, and from now until March six months of their 'critical period' for EFL will be wasted for most. It sucks, but it's reality.

Personally I'd show videos and try to do some extra work with the brighter ones. Prior to MS, prior to HS, and prior to uni there's well over a year of learning opportunity that gets almost completely wasted for most Korean students, retarding learning especially in cumulative subjects like English.

[rampancy]

Leveraging the almost insatiable thirst for competition I've seen in Korean kids has been my way of keeping my kids motivated. At the beginning of this semester I started using a star system (with my slides) with the promise of a pizza party at the end, and it's helped to keep most of the kids on track.

[teachermc]

I agree with Yu_Bumsuk's assessment.  Thirty students vs. one teacher (or two if your lucky) is not a fair fight.  Add on top of that the diminishing importance of their performance in the short term and you certainly will have some issues. 

While I definitely think that it reflects well on a teacher when they decide to go out of their way to find engaging media and resources that attempt to reach their students' interests, students' desires at this age are shamelessly insatiable.  It is easy to connect with an engaged class, though much of the class' character is based upon variables you cannot control.  With less engaged classes, I would suggest sticking to the classroom management techniques you already use firmly, and possibly making changes that are more strict.

I hate to say it, but if learning is not likely to happen (as far as English language proficiency is concerned), it is better to walk in and out of quietly rebellious classes than those in an open mutiny.

[Cy&Leon]

I said if they finished early, they get 5-10 minutes to watch/continue their movie. Like others said, 6th graders are unmotivated nearing the end of second semester due to their entrance exams.

[gela412]

Thanks for the replies, guys~  :)

[bmacdow]

I personally find my grade 6 classes to be hit or miss at one of my schools (thank the teaching gods my other G6s still care right now!).  One day we'll all do amazing and the next its like pulling teeth.  While the textbook is almost always a bore to them, I do try to keep them engaged by promising an activity or game I think will be successful.  By now, I've found some games, that more often than not, get them excited. I've found that if they know they'll get to play it at the end, they will put up with the more boring things. 

I personally try to keep the powerpoint games at a minimum.  While I know they enjoy them and it makes my job much easier, I prefer to get my kids moving as often as possible.  I have also found that its been good to mix up the activities so that its not always the same thing in English class.  Since they're adolescents it definitely takes some warming up to the game, but after a bit, they're thrilled. 

I've attached a document detailing how I play 4 different action games that have been successful with my 6th graders. 
They are:  1. Rock paper scissors challenge   2.  Competitive Line Charades     3.  Whisper Slap     4.  Chair Swap

[alijw]

I have given up using the awful school textbook almost completely and just the unit titles and structure as a guide. Example... Lesson 1 I show a video from youtube on the topic and then we answer questions or watch again and repeat key sentences. (I have also shown subtitled Simpsons clips and movie clips too) Lesson 2 We learn an English pop song. Lesson 3 A reading comprehension that I make or find online and then play a game. Lesson 4 Writing worksheet I make. Etc

It's a fair bit of preparation on the teacher's end,  but the fact they stay interested in the lesson makes it worthwhile.

[money55]

My kids like competing against anything and everything. They love competion.  However my co teacher punishes them with something they like.   My kids also like action games
and things that make a lot of noise. If you can turn it into a game. Their happy. Game time. Game Time. Game.

[kristenm]

I am also having a hard time with the 6th graders. Some classes go great others I want to go to my happy place. I have used clips for motivation and ask them questions after. When the students get the question correct, I give them a sticker. They liked that. I want to have the students move around but there isn't enough room and the class gets out of control. One of the Korean teachers told me to speak softly. It did work because the students couldn't hear me. I have been trying anything and everything. It is trial and error.