TeachingEnglish: Motivating learners

Get learners actively involved in your lessons with effective, engaging learning activities they want to do. Find resources connected to the course contents on this page, and sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date on when our courses open.

A Black secondary-aged learner in a classroom with their hand up. The learner is smiling.
TeachingEnglish
Understanding
Start: 01/04/25
End: 24/06/25
Certificate
Workbook
Online community

Enrolment for Motivating learners is closed. We'll keep you updated when enrolment for the next course will open. In the meantime, if you’re interested in learning more about motivating learners, you can view helpful resources here.


What resources can you access at any time?

  • A free workbook with extra learning content and resources connected to the course contents.
  • A dedicated Facebook community of course participants with up-to-date insight, resources and innovative teaching ideas for you to try out (Facebook account required).
  • Learning content related to our courses on Facebook or YouTube.
  • Live events and recordings with course tutors and language teaching experts on Facebook or YouTube.
  • Teaching resources on the TeachingEnglish website.
  • Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date on when our courses open.

What are the core modules in Motivating learners?

Module 1 Understanding learner motivation

The aim of this module is to introduce some common theories of motivation and consider how these theories relate to teaching and learning. You'll find out about elements of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, as well as the importance of micro aspects of motivation in the classroom.

Module 2 Understanding motivation in the classroom

The aim of this module is to enable you to create a motivational classroom environment. It covers classroom strategies to create a motivational atmosphere and the role of feedback in motivation.

Module 3 Engaging with motivational activities

The aim of this module is to consider how different classroom activities can be energising and motivational for learners. The module looks at different common motivational problems and how targeted classroom activities can minimise these.


Do you have more questions about our courses?

Please see our FAQs or access further support through our Help button.


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Comments

Submitted by Calimero on Sun, 06/22/2025 - 09:05

GBEng is my L1 so I had rather low expectations of this course. However, I'm delighted to say that it was a real eye-opener and I am delighted to have completed the course just before it ends (discovered at the last minute)!
Learning and learning English is akin to eating your greens in my context so a greater understanding of motivation is essential. Also, to convince Mums of the valuable pedagogical contribution of gamification (who would prefer me to stand in front of a blackboard, à la Charles Dickens!).

Hi Calimero

Thanks for that feedback! We're really glad you found the course useful - and yes, I agree that motivation is essential to successful teaching and learning!

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Amir-Hemati on Fri, 06/06/2025 - 06:49

this is the first time I'd like to enroll for a course. I have a few questions: 1. to get the certificate, is it necessary to participate in the live sessions? 2.to pass the module, are we going to do some tasks or answer the questions?

Hi Amir_Hemati

Thanks for your comment and for signing up for our course!

Our live sessions are optional so you don't need to join them to get your certificate - you just need to complete all the course modules.

Each module has some tasks which you will do online - our courses are self-access so you can complete them in your own time.

For more information, you can also check our FAQs here: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/training-courses-faqs

Hope that helps - enjoy the course!

Cath
TeachingEnglish team

Hi Yasmine,

The Motivating learners course is open now until June. Log in to TeachingEnglish (top right) and click the "Enrol in this free course" button on this page.

We hope you enjoy it!

Kirsteen

The TeachingEnglish Team

Submitted by Tinara on Fri, 07/14/2023 - 08:49

Good afternoon!
I am sorry I couldn't complete the course "Motivating learners" on time, because I got sick. I have finished modules 1 and 2, but haven't done the last module 3. Is there any opportunities to finish it and get a certificate?
Looking forward to your reply.
Tinara.

Submitted by MoniRed on Mon, 07/10/2023 - 00:13

I´ve already received the notification and congratulations for finishing the Motivating course. Unfortunately , I cannot find "My rewards section" where to download the certificate. Could you help me please?

Hi

You need to log on to the course platform as usual (through MY PORTFOLIO) and then click on the "My awards" tab which you will find at the top of the screen. If you are having problems, you can use the orange "help" button on the courses page.

Thanks,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by farah irshad on Tue, 06/20/2023 - 04:17

Yes I followed, given all steps but faild to enrol.I just don't find any enrolment button .

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Wed, 06/21/2023 - 07:34

In reply to by farah irshad

Hi Farah

You need to be logged into your TeachingEnglish account - if you don't have an account you need to set one up (Step 1 under "How do I sign up for this course?"). Once you have logged in, if you click on Step 2 you will see a drop down menu with the enrol button. 

Please write to us at Teachingenglish@britishcouncil.org.uk if you are still having problems.

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by BurakBilecen on Tue, 06/13/2023 - 09:15

Hello,
I cannot enroll in this course. It says "Enrolment ends on 3rd July" but I still cannot enroll. I hope someone helps :)

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Wed, 06/14/2023 - 07:23

In reply to by BurakBilecen

Hi BurakBilecen

Have you followed the two steps under "How do I sign up for this course?" above on this page?

Can you let us know the problem you are having? If you have created an account on TeachingEnglish and are logged in you should be able to just click under step 2 (Enroll on the course) and sign up.

Please let us know if you are still having problems.

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Hi abutareq

Are you logged into your TeachingEnglish account? If so, can you see the "MY PORTFOLIO" tab? Can you click on that and then "my courses" - this should take you to the courses platform. If you find that you are taken back to your profile page, you need to log out of your account and then log back in again. This should resolve your issue. Please send us a message at teachingenglish@britishcouncil.org if you are still having problems.

Thanks,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Natty_Natty on Sat, 06/10/2023 - 17:55

Since a few hours today, I can't access "My courses". When I click on it, it says "the connection is not private" with a warning sign. Could you fix that, please?

Hi Natty_Natty

Apologies for this - there is a technical issue with the site which we are working to resolve as soon as possible. Thanks for letting us know, and sorry for the inconvenience.

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Aminat Baruwa-Ashafa on Wed, 04/26/2023 - 12:50

I forgot my Password and all efforts to reset it proved abortive. I can only access my account via a one time access. I'm being asked to enter current password when that is exactly what I'm havig issues with.

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Thu, 04/27/2023 - 13:30

In reply to by Aminat Baruwa-Ashafa

Hi

In order to change your password, you need to make sure you are using the same e-mail address that you used to sign up for your TeachingEnglish account. That is where the link to reset your password will go. It's a good idea to also check the spam folder. 

If you are still having problems, please write to us at TeachingEnglish@britishcouncil.org

Thanks,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Yangyl on Wed, 04/26/2023 - 07:09

Hello, I really appriciate that you offer us the chance to learn free course,but I can't find any place to enroll, where is step 3? Is that because of the website or the browser? I have downloaded google chrome, but I still cannot see "enroll". Thank you.

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Wed, 04/26/2023 - 08:35

In reply to by Yangyl

Hi Yangyl,

If you have set up an account and are logged in, then you need to click on this link to go to the course website: https://open.teachingenglish.org.uk/Home/ExploreProgrammes

Here you will see all of the courses that are currently available, and each one has an "Enrol in activity" button, which you just need to click. If when you click the link above you are taken back to your profile page, you need to follow the troubleshooting steps - basically log out of your account, clear your cache, and then log back in again. This time when you click on the link it will take you to the courses website.

Hope this helps,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Kerlly Pérez on Wed, 04/26/2023 - 01:06

I just finished the course Motivating learners, but I didn't obtain mine, I checked ''My awards'' section but nothing happened

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Wed, 04/26/2023 - 08:33

In reply to by Kerlly Pérez

Hi Kerlly

Can you use the orange "Help" button on the bottom right of the screen to report this to the courses team? They should be able to resolve this issue.

Thanks,

Cath
TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Kerlly Pérez on Wed, 04/26/2023 - 19:50

In reply to by Cath McLellan

There's no any orange help button, I need to get my certificate

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Thu, 04/27/2023 - 13:28

In reply to by Kerlly Pérez

Hi Kerlly

You need to be logged in to your TeachingEnglish account and then to access the courses website  here: https://open.teachingenglish.org.uk/Home/ExploreProgrammes 

Once you are on the courses webpage the orange "help" button is on the bottom right of the screen.

Let us know if you are still having problems.

Thanks,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Hi Shabina

You need to follow the steps 1-4 above to enrol on this course.

If you have set up your account and logged in, you should be able to access the courses website here: https://open.teachingenglish.org.uk/Home/ExploreProgrammes The course appears under "Explore all courses" tab - you then just need to click to enrol. 
Let us know if you are still having problems.

Thanks,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by viviana paz on Fri, 04/21/2023 - 13:42

How do I get enrolled for this course? There is no button. Thank you.

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Mon, 04/24/2023 - 09:51

In reply to by viviana paz

Hi Viviana

You need to follow the steps 1-4 above to enrol on this course.

If you have set up your account and logged in, you should be able to access the courses website here: https://open.teachingenglish.org.uk/Home/ExploreProgrammes The course appears under "Explore all courses" tab - you then just need to click to enrol. 
Let us know if you are still having problems.

Thanks,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Hi Liliya11

If you have set up your account and logged in, you should be able to access the courses website here: https://open.teachingenglish.org.uk/Home/ExploreProgrammes The course appears under "Explore all courses" tab - you then just need to click to enrol. 
Let us know if you are still having problems.

Thanks,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Wed, 04/26/2023 - 08:26

In reply to by Markusvashira

Hi Markusvashira

If you have set up your account and logged in, you should be able to access the courses website here: https://open.teachingenglish.org.uk/Home/ExploreProgrammes The course appears under "Explore all courses" tab - you then just need to click to enrol. 
Let us know if you are still having problems.

Thanks,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Olena Boika on Wed, 04/12/2023 - 06:36

I have an account and previously I do not have a problem with enrollment in the other courses. But this course DOES NOT HAVE A BUTTON ENROL! I wait for ti the start date of 11 April but even now it is no button to enrol from my account.

Hi Olena

I've just checked the courses website and if you go to "Explore all courses" you will find this course there. The "Enrol in this activity" button is working fine. Can you try again please? Let us know if you are still having problems.

Thanks,
Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Hi Chem-muhammad hosni

Our courses are aimed at English language teachers, but of course you might find some of the strategies and techniques useful in your chemistry teaching. The course is self-access and free to join. You can register using the instructions (Step 1-4) above. If you need any further help, let us know.

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Rebeca22 on Fri, 04/07/2023 - 11:48

I cannot register. It's always the same, I have an account and I don't find a button where I can click on to register and access the course, I only find the instructions and they're useless

Submitted by Paul Braddock on Fri, 04/07/2023 - 17:31

In reply to by Rebeca22

Hi Rebeca22

We are sorry you are having problems accessing your training. I can see that you have accessed our training courses. If you are having problems, can you log out of your account and then log back in again. In the top menu you should then see MY PORTFOLIO > My Courses.

Click or tap on 'My courses' to go to the training courses you have enrolled in.  

Thanks

Paul (TeachingEnglish team)

Submitted by yvasylchenko on Wed, 04/05/2023 - 06:10

Unfortunately,our students are lack of motivation in learning languages or studying.I'd like to get more knowledge how to motivate them to learn English.

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Wed, 04/05/2023 - 07:40

In reply to by yvasylchenko

Hi yvasylchenko

This course sounds like it might be for you! You can sign up following the steps above.

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Hi Christy

To register for the course, you need to follow the instructions (steps 1-4) above.

Hope you find the course useful,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

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