How English Teachers Can Motivate Uninterested Learners to Engage in Class

Have you ever walked into class, ready with your lesson plan, only to find your learners looking bored, sleepy, or completely uninterested? You start teaching, but some are drawing in their books, others are whispering to friends, and a few just stare out the window. If you are an English teacher in Rwanda or anywhere you know this feeling. It can be discouraging. You spend hours preparing lessons, but your learners do not want to engage. The truth is: uninterested learners are part of every classroom.

But here is the good news: with the right strategies, you can turn that lack of interest into curiosity and participation. In this post, I’ll share practical, simple, and proven ways to motivate uninterested learners. These ideas are based on real classroom practices, research, and my own experiences as a teacher. If you’ve read my earlier guide on the role of repetition in enhancing learner retention, you’ll see how simple methods can change learners’ motivation over time.

1. Understand Why Learners Lose Interest

Before solving the problem, we need to ask: why do learners not want to study? 

Some common reasons include:

• They find English difficult and feel discouraged.
• They don’t see the value of English in their daily lives.
• The lesson feels too long or boring.
• They lack confidence to speak in class.
• They have personal challenges outside school (family, poverty, health).

 As a teacher, showing empathy is the first step. When you understand their challenges, you can design lessons that speak to their needs.

Example: In a school in Huye, one teacher noticed her students struggled with vocabulary. Instead of forcing long word lists, she began with songs and classroom games. Soon, learners who hated English started singing along and enjoying the lessons. Related: Best ways to help students prepare for exams effectively ; Exam stress is often a hidden reason behind disinterest.

2. Build a Friendly Classroom Environment

A learner will not engage if the classroom feels like a prison. Instead, it should feel like a safe and friendly space.

How to create this environment:

• Smile and greet learners warmly.
• Allow mistakes without punishment.
• Praise effort, not only correct answers.
• Mix learners in groups so that shy students feel supported.

Tip: A “warm-up” activity at the start—like a short question, riddle, or game—creates energy. For example, asking “What did you eat for breakfast?” in English gets learners talking in a simple way.

3. Connect Lessons to Real Life

Learners often ask: “Why should I study English? I don’t use it at home!”

The answer is to make lessons practical. Show them how English connects to their future.

• Use Rwandan examples: role-play shopping in Kimironko market, giving directions in Kigali, or writing a job application.
• Invite older students or local professionals to share how English helped them.
• Link English lessons with songs, football, or technology that learners already love.

When learners see the connection, they start to pay attention.

• Invite older students or local professionals to share how English helped them.
• Link English lessons with songs, football, or technology that learners already love.

UNESCO Education Equity Handbook reminds us that relevance and equity in education are key drivers of student motivation.

4. Use Games and Activities

Games are not only for fun, they are powerful tools for engagement. Research shows that play increases motivation and memory.

Some simple classroom games for English:

• Word Bingo: learners listen for words in a story and mark them.
• Hot Seat: one learner sits with back to the board, classmates give clues to guess the word.
• Role Play: learners act out real-life situations (at the market, at the bus park).

In Rwanda, teachers often have large classes (50+ learners). Games help because they involve everyone at once.  For more ideas, check my blog on how teachers and learners can improve communication for better learning outcomes.

5. Give Learners Responsibility

Uninterested learners often want power. If you ignore them, they lose focus. Instead, give them responsibility.

• Ask them to lead a group activity.
• Assign roles like “timekeeper,” “dictionary master,” or “board cleaner.”
• Rotate leadership so everyone feels important.

When learners are responsible, they begin to own the lesson.

6. Mix Repetition with Creativity

Learners need repetition to remember, but repetition can feel boring. The trick is to repeat in creative ways.

For example:

• Instead of repeating vocabulary by writing ten times, use it in songs, stories, or quizzes.
• Turn repetition into competitions between groups.
• Encourage learners to create short skits with repeated phrases.

This not only strengthens memory but also keeps energy alive.

7. Provide Individual Support

Every learner is different. Some are fast, others slow. Some are shy, others talkative. If uninterested learners feel ignored, they switch off.

Ways to support individually:

• Walk around the class, check quietly with each learner.
• Offer extra help after class for struggling students.
• Pair strong learners with weaker ones (peer support).

Even small personal encouragement like saying, “I know you can do it, Jean!” can change a learner’s attitude. The British Council also shares excellent classroom resources that emphasize individual support in English learning.

8. Use Technology Wisely

In today’s world, technology motivates learners. Even in schools with limited resources, you can use simple tools.

• Play short English videos or songs on your phone.
• Use free apps like Duolingo or Kahoot for quizzes.
• Share WhatsApp voice notes in English for homework.

Learners enjoy tech because it connects to their daily life.

9. Celebrate Progress, Not Just Success

A big reason learners lose interest is fear of failure. They feel they cannot succeed. Teachers must show that progress is more important than perfection.

Practical ideas:

• Create a “progress wall” where learners post new words they learned.
• Give certificates or simple notes like “Well done today!”
• Celebrate small wins: “You answered in English today. That’s great!”

Motivation grows when learners feel they are moving forward. Rwanda’s success in meeting UNESCO education goals shows us that progress is more powerful when measured step by step.

10. Be a Role Model

Learners watch you more than they listen to you. If you show excitement for English, they will copy you. If you look bored, they will also be bored.

• Use English often in class and outside.
• Share your own learning journey. (For example, how you studied English in university.)
• Show curiosity by reading, listening, and asking questions in English.

Your passion will inspire them.

11. Involve Parents and Community

Sometimes, uninterested learners need support from home. Parents may not speak English, but they can still encourage study.

Ideas:

• Organize short meetings with parents to explain why English matters.
• Send simple English tasks home (like “teach your family one new word”).
• Involve community leaders in school events that celebrate English learning.

This teamwork makes learners feel supported from all sides.

Conclusion: From Boredom to Engagement

Motivating uninterested learners is not about magic. It is about small, consistent actions that build curiosity and confidence.

Start by understanding their struggles. Then, create a friendly classroom, connect lessons to real life, use games, give responsibilities, mix repetition with fun, and provide individual support. Celebrate progress and show passion as a teacher. With these strategies, learners who once avoided English can begin to engage, participate, and even enjoy learning.

Remember: every learner can learn, but not in the same way and not at the same speed. Our job as teachers is to meet them where they are and guide them forward.

So next time you face uninterested learners, don’t give up. Try one or two of these strategies and watch the change.

Call to Action

What strategy have you tried to engage uninterested learners in your class? Share your story in the comments, I would love to hear from you!