Describing Learners

Describing Learners “

Each student has different ability, characteristics and  motivation on the learning process. Among those factors in the decision about how and what to teach, motivating students is always been an issue that is commonly discussed among the teachers. According to Brophy (1998) lack of motivation still constitutes a serious problem both for teachers and students in language classrooms. What is important is to determine the causes of inadequate motivation and know how to handle with students lacking of motivation.

I strongly agree that it is seen that the teachers have to find a cause about the lack motivation on students soon. Based on William and Peter Lutes (as cited in the website www.takamatsu-u.ac.jp/library/06_gakunaisyupan/kiyo/no48/001-013_williams.pdf), “motivation is a key elements in the learning process”. That is why it is taken as an important role in the students’ interest in the classroom.

There are several reasons why students are not interested to learn. Huitt, W. (2005) states that some of the reasons are not having a believe of the ability to learn, personal problems and feeling lazy to learn. In my mind, whatever the cause of students' motivation problems, the teachers should take some efforts to overcome this problem. Firstly,  the teachers should do careful and systematic observations of student behavior. It is teacher’s obligation to know what makes the students are not eager to learn in class. Whether it is students’ negative thinking on learning ability, students’ personal problems or students’ laziness. After knowing the reasons, the teachers should decide what next way to do. Certainly, they should build a great atmosphere which can motivate students to learn in classroom.

Campbel, R & Rutherford, W. ( 2000 ) say that there are several methods of teaching languages to be conducted. They are Grammar Translation Method, Total Physical Respond, Audio-Lingual Method, Direct Method, etc. Each of them has its own approach, method and technique. Teachers should choose the appropriate method in the class based on the intended goal of the learning course in way to arise students’ motivation.

On my mind, all of those methods can be wrapped in the interesting way. Conducting the interesting learning method is believed can attrack students’ motivation. When language teaching is motivating designed, it can be useful for students’ spiirit and motivatiion development. The important point is that the learning methods can increase the students motivation to learn.