As we get closer and closer to summer vacation a trend that I’ve noticed is the general decline in motivation in the students as well as in teachers. I’m sure we can all relate to the anticipation of the end of school and the two-month break, away from all responsibilities. But, before we can completely shut our brains off and binge whatever is the latest trending content on Netflix, we need to sludge through this last month.

One of the biggest hurdles for me (and possibly) other native teachers is dealing with the lack of motivation amongst the students. I’m sure we can all remember back when we were students and our general attitude towards school during the last month before a long break. So, how can we ensure that their motivation doesn’t decrease? A technique that works best for me is managing my own energy and motivation.

As teachers we see our students on a daily basis. Our day-to-day energy, vibes and emotional state can be easily picked up by them. If we ourselves are not motivated we can’t expect the students to behave otherwise. That’s why for me, especially during the last month before a long break, I make all my lessons centered around review games or activities that get the students up and moving. If I’m excited by the lesson I’m putting out there, my students can pick up on my energy. This in return can create a positive feedback loop where teachers and students are working together, bouncing off of each others energy and keeping each other motivated.

A site that I frequent quite often to get templates for in class review games and such is ‘taysteachingtools’. There we can find Mario themed games, Pokemon themed ones, and loads more. My high school students respond really positively to the Mario themed review games. Mix that with friendly group competition and some black thunder chocolate snacks I can keep my student’s motivation levels up right their final exam.

What are some of your techniques during this period?

It’s been a rough few years with Covid and online classes. Now that things are finally going back to normal how is everyone adjusting?

My school held online classes for the last month during the last school term. While I still had to commute to school to do the classes, compared to in person teaching it was definitely more relaxed. 

During my three years in Japan, this was my first time doing online lessons at any of my schools. So for me at least, it was extra stressful. Not only going into the process of doing online lessons but also coming out from this process. 

Before coming to Project Genius I worked at an ALT dispatch company. At that time, I was used more as a secondary assistant. In other words, my role was less impactful. Therefore when Covid first hit and a lot of schools went to online lessons, I was spared from that. 

That’s why this was my first time doing online lessons. The process going into it was stressful. Setting up teams, changing lesson plans so that students can participate online, and rescheduling the students final speaking test before their exam. It took a week to really get into the flow. It was also during this time that I found the merits of online classes. But, as fast as online classes came, it also went away.

Coming into this new school year, and doing the first in person lesson again after close to two month I was nervous again. But, a highlight of my school is that the teachers are given one week before the official start of classes to not only prepare but also to interact with the students and other teachers. It may seem like a small thing, but it definitely made the transition into the new year and new classes much easier. 

I know with Covid, a lot of schools most likely held online lessons. So I’m curious as to how everyone is adjusting to this switch back to in person classes.