Motivation Hacks!

Motivation Hacks – How to Keep Students Engaged

Here’s the thing: even the best lesson plan falls flat if students aren’t motivated. And as teachers, we’ve all seen it—the glazed eyes, the “I don’t care” attitude, the phones hidden under the desk (yes, I see you scrolling TikTok, Kevin). So what can we do?

Here are three simple tools for motivation that I swear by:

1. Choice – Let students choose between activities, like writing a paragraph or making a quick comic. When they feel in control, they’re more invested. It’s like sneaking vegetables into a smoothie—they’re still learning, but it feels like they picked it.

2. Relevance – Tie lessons to things they actually care about: TikTok trends, sports, music, or local events. If English feels connected to their world, they’ll lean in. “Write an essay about Shakespeare” might get crickets. “Write a debate about whether Bad Bunny or Drake is better” = instant engagement.

3. Celebrate the Small Wins – Don’t wait until a test to say “good job.” Celebrate when a shy student speaks up or when the class nails a group activity. Recognition is a huge motivator. Plus, who doesn’t love a little hype squad energy?

At the end of the day, motivation isn’t about making every lesson flashy—it’s about creating an environment where students feel like their effort matters. A motivated classroom has energy, humor, and momentum—and let’s be honest, it makes teaching way more fun for us too.