An idea, a thought, an anecdote, a story or a poem a day!

Motivation is self direction, and this can only be only from within. I teach English to adults who mostly feel they are lesser because of their lack of language skills. Their self esteem gets hurt quite easily, and, this issue of hurt self-esteem troubles students from both age groups, younger and not so young ones. Constructive feedback is critical for their learning and progressing, but how we construct that feedback makes such a huge difference. Saying, that you have done all correctly, but for this, and this, and that, sometimes might work. They want to start all over again, and though they make some of the same, or similar mistakes, they keep trying. On the other hand, some students become really frustrated that they didn’t get it 100% right, and stop trying.  I’d say it is their self motivation, a sense of self-direction that is the key for their learning.

"Can I've a do nut please?"  I was very new in Australia, and still not sure of my pronunciation of new things.  Pronouncing 'do', just as do in 'I do' , I had put emphasis on 'do' , do: with a u: sound instead of 'oh', like dough. The shop assistant giving a disapproving look to me, said,  "oh do you mean a do (oh) nut"!  Feeling completely flabbergasted I said, " yes, I do"  pronouncing my  'dough' as 'do'!  English!!!  vague, tongue and argue - all ending with gue but pronounced so differently! Sir this point is a bit vaguu;! You fool, it is not vagu:, it is vague! Sorry sir, it was just a slip of tonguu:! Oh, ok, don't arg! The Professor said!