This presentation was part of a 60-minute training session for teachers studying at Sun-Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, Nov 2015. For this training resource, you will need the podcast of Jeremy Harmer talking about student motivation here: https://www.mixcloud.com/LauraWilkes/jeremy-harmer-talking-about-student-motivation/

1. In this session we will:
1. Define extrinsic and intrinsic motivation factors
2. Explore Harmer’s five A’s theory of motivation
3. Brainstorm different strategies we can apply to teaching
practice
4. Consider how Harmer’s theory applies to our practice as
learners and teachers
Student Motivation
Session 1: Student Motivation 1Laura Wilkes

2. Session 1: Student Motivation 2
Think about your favourite teachers and/subjects ar
schhol.
Why did you like the teacher and/or the subject?
Why were you interested in the subject?
What did the teacher do to keep you interested in the
subject?

3. Extrinsic Motivation
Session 1: Student Motivation 3
Intrinsic Motivation
Outside factors that influence a student’s will and action.
Internal factors that influence a student’s will and action.

4. Jeremy Harmer’s Theory on Intrinsic Motivation
Session 1: Student Motivation 4
The Angel of the North is used as a
metaphor by Harmer to discuss his theory
on motivation.
The Angel of the North is a large sculpture
based in the north of England, near
Newcastle.

5. Session 1: Student Motivation 5
Jeremy Harmer’s Theory on Intrinsic Motivation
Listen to Harmer describe his
theory on motivation and answer
the following questions:
1.What does the base of the angel
represent?
2.What are the five A’s of Harmer’s
theory?
3.What do each of the A’s mean?

6. Session 1: Student Motivation 6
Jeremy Harmer’s Theory on Intrinsic Motivation
Listen to Harmer describe his
theory on motivation and answer
the following questions:
1.What does the base of the angel
represent?
2.What are the five A’s of Harmer’s
theory?
For each A, note the name and
an example of what Harmer
means.

7. Session 1: Student Motivation 7
What it means
Attitude
Acheivement
Activities
Affect
Agency
Share examples you noted with a classmate. Complete the table with short
definition of what each of the A’s mean

8. Session 1: Student Motivation 8
Poster Task
In small groups, make a poster that
explains one of Harmer’s 5 A’s.
Include the following on your
poster:
•Name of the A
This should be clear and bold
•Definition of the A
This should be a short summary
•At least 3 examples of actions and
strategies teachers can adopt to
fulfill the A

9. Session 1: Student Motivation 9
Design tasks
that allow
students to
tailor to their
interests
Let students
choose
interaction
patterns
Involve
students in the
learning
process
Example Poster

10. Session 1: Student Motivation 10
Share posters
Look at posters from other groups. Take notes on the strategies they suggest
by writing down and/or by taking a photo.

11. Session 1: Student Motivation 11
What strategies will you apply in your teaching
to improve motivation in your classes?
How will you apply these strategies?
How will you measure your progress?
Laura Wilkes