reluctant learner

Wow - that's a huge question! I think the best way to approach this would be to break the problem down and consider the factors involved that may cause the reluctance.

Factors external to the student could be the teacher, the learning environment, the course content, the length of the sessions etc etc.

Internal factors i.e. to do with the learners, could be the students interest in the subject, their ability, their learning style (girls are different to boys for example), their learning history, what's going on in their life etc etc.

Once you have identified the main factors, you can actually start to think of some solutions that will turn the situation around.

That's how I would approach the problem anyway.....any other ideas?

Thank you for sparing time for me. It's good to have scientific information about the problem. The questions you provided motivated me to speak to the students involved. Unfortunately they have failed twice in the course, and they want me to allow them to remain passive in the course. I'm a new teacher for them.

Rose

In addition to Lyndsay's insightful comments above, I would see this as primarily a selling issue. To get the students motivated you need to find out what's in it for them. This could be to do with the benefits of passing, whatever they are, or the removal of pain i.e. they won't have to do it again next year.

Regardless of which it is, the benefits need to be concrete, clear and it usually helps to repeat them. And finally, the benefits need to connect with them (and they may be different for different people) on an emotional level.

Added to that, if they have failed before, they will need confidence that their efforts are worth it - that is, that they can actually pass the course. It may be worthwhile outlining why your approach is different and why it will help them pass.

I thank both of you for your kindness. You've been very helpful to me.

Regards

You're welcome Rose - I hope you'll stick around