Honey catches more flies than vinegar

This is the title of a presentation I delivered in the International TESOL  Arabia Conference which was held in Dubai on10-12 March 2011.

 Abstract: Attitude is often used to predict the students’ English achievement. How does a teacher develop positively students’ attitudes? How can a classroom atmosphere enhance the level of engagement? In what ways and what techniques can a teacher use authentic materials and technologies to improve the milliners attitudes?   Summary: In the EFL context, attitude is often used to predict the students’ English achievement. Many researchers have revealed that, among other things, attitude plays considerably significant role as far as learning a foreign language is concerned. 

This article is practical in nature. Its aim is to provide English teachers with a set of strategies and practical suggestions in order to help their students develop a positive attitude toward learning English as a foreign language. Teacher-students rapport is likely to have impact on students’ efforts to learn English and improve their performance. The article will touch upon the role of the nativity of the teacher in the learners’ attitude and motivation. 

Another important thing to bear in mind is that teachers should create a classroom atmosphere in which students feel free to communicate and in which is language errors are considered a natural part of the process of learning a foreign language. The presenter will introduce some relevant techniques to help teachers create a free-of –tension environment. In the same vein, teachers can also make a significant contribution to the physical environment in which teaching and learning takes place. This is expected to improve attitudes as well, the presenter will present some tips to develop the classroom physical environment. 

The presentaion will tackle the value of utilizing authentic materials to increase interest and intrinsic motivation; he will also confer the impact of integrating technologies into language instruction on the milliners ’ attitude towards learning.