Buxoro davlat universiteti xorijiy tillar fakulteti "tasdiqlayman"

Group 2. Tips for Teaching English to Teenagers 
Older children, such as junior high and high school students, can be more 
difficult to excite. They will often be studying English because they have to, either 
because it’s a requirement at school or because their parents want them to excel 
with extracurricular lessons. They don’t necessarily have the inherent curiosity of a 
younger child, but they also don’t have the motivation and discipline of an adult 
learner. Cultural factors also play into this, as in some cultures it’s not ‘cool’ or 
acceptable to be too talkative or inquisitive, while in others it’s the opposite. Your 
biggest challenge will be planning activities that engage everyone. 
1. Their interests are key 
Let’s face it - many teens are self-centered (in the best possible way!) They’re 
more likely to be motivated when the lesson comes back to them and their 
interests. A great tactic is to do a survey at the beginning of term, or at the 
beginning of your block of lessons, to gauge your students’ interests. Whatever 
their interests (which are likely to revolve around sports, movies, celebrities, pop 
culture, and current events), you can build them into your future lessons. 

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2. Hone your empathy 
Academic stress. Crushes. Self-consciousness. Peer and parental pressure. There 
are a lot of moving parts here. The best thing you can do is to create a comfortable 
classroom for your teens. Be especially aware of the kinds of activities you plan — 
yes, you want to challenge them, but don’t continually put students on the spot in 
front of their peers. Self-consciousness flourishes now, and speaking English in 
front of their peers can compound these feelings. 
3. Create a strong rapport 
It’s surprising how something as simple as asking a student how their day is going 
can open up so much. It breaks down this invisible barrier. Talk with them after 
class if you notice they’re lingering at your desk, or say hi in the halls, perhaps 
giving them the chance to casually practice a phrase or two you learned in class. 
Depending on your country’s social norms, if you can comfortably make these 
friendly, personal connections then go for it!