How to Get Kids to Hate English

It’s not uncommon to hear complaints from students about how boring and irrelevant English class can be. As a teacher, you want your students to engage with literature and develop a love of reading and writing, but it seems almost impossible to compete with video games and social media. So, what can you do to make sure your students don’t become part of the statistic of people who simply hate English class? Let’s explore some reasons why kids may hate English and some steps you can take to make the subject more enjoyable for them.

Teachers Focusing More on Analysis than Enjoyment

One significant factor in the negative perception of English class among students is that teachers focus more on analysis than enjoyment. The relentless dissection of texts and the expectation to find “literary devices” and symbolism in every sentence can sap any sense of fun out of reading. While it’s essential to teach these skills, teachers must also emphasize that literature is not just a puzzle to be solved, but it is an art that could inspire, educate, and entertain.

Reframing the Lesson Focus

To avoid the analysis trap and foster genuine engagement in literature in your students, you may need to rethink your lesson objectives. Rather than focusing solely on symbolism and metaphors, make sure you include discussions of what resonates with them and why. What about the protagonist’s struggles spoke to them, and are there any lessons they could take away from the story? Ask open-ended questions that invite students to resolve connections between the text and their own experiences, interests, and emotions.

Reading Uninteresting, Outdated Material

Another reason students may hate English is that one of the primary reading materials can be dreadfully boring. Many of the books assigned to students are classics, a label usually translates to old, inaccessible, and dull to most young people. Moreover, many educators abide by tradition and mandate reading materials without considering if they would impact their students positively. Leaning on these class books can also lack a contemporary connection to younger students.

Providing More Choice

One way to address the above challenge is to provide students a choice of what they want to read. Rather than assigning mandatory books, which limits the capability of a student to pick out his or her book, make a list from which they can choose, one that includes books more contemporary theme or feature characters that are more relatable to them. This move not only makes the students feel more in control over their learning but giving them the chance to explore their interests in a subject they may find rather dull.

No Illustration of Real-World Application

The idea that there is no real world application of English is another challenge for students. As kids progress through school, subjects like biology, mathematics, and history are taught in a manner that can allow them to recognize their pragmatic use in life. However, kids may not understand how writing assignments, reading coursework, and analyzing literary works can have a practical use in their lives.

Relating Assignments to Real-World Problems

One possible solution is to work to show how English is used in the real world. Providing examples of how understanding English and literature could benefit students transcends the idea that it is merely an academic subject that children are forced to take. Relate writing assignments to current problems and debates students are passionate about. Teach them how to write a resume or a cover letter or have them write a letter to a representative on issues they care about. You could also use literary works as a tool to dissect and analyze thought process and opinions related to modern social issues, politics, and other current events.

Conclusion

English can be an enjoyable subject for students if teachers make an effort to expand their learning horizons beyond simple literary analysis. Teachers need to refocus their lessons on understanding and appreciating the literary arts rather than merely analyzing it. Additionally, opportunities should be provided to showcase the real-world applications of the subject, giving students reasons to value what they learn from these lessons.

FAQs

1. How can teachers convince students that English is relevant in the real world?

One way to illustrate the real-world relevance of English is to have writing assignments or assignments related to current social issues and events that students care about. Cover letters, a letter to a Representative, or writing a press release for a business or organization are just a few of the ways students could use English lessons in the “real world.”

2. Should students be given the choice of what to read in English class?

Yes. Giving students the power to select what they read in English class could significantly increase their engagement and motivation. This is because when students are interested in what they are reading, they are more likely to be motivated to comprehend it and finish it.

3. How can teachers encourage students to enjoy literature instead of analyzing it?

One possible approach is to ask open-ended questions that encourage student contemplation and discussion about the character’s struggles and their personal connections to the story instead of merely identifying literary elements. This would help students understand that literature is not just about the “power of analysis,” but that it is a medium for emotion, creativity, and self-discovery.

4. Why do some kids find English class so difficult?

English class can be difficult for some students because it involves analyzing, critiquing, and sometimes writing about material that could be challenging to comprehend, especially in terms of symbolism and metaphors. For others, it could be lack of engagement, difficulty in relating to the material or understanding how it could be useful, or a feeling that they have no control over what they read in class.

5. What are some examples of contemporary works that English teachers could incorporate into their classroom?

Some contemporary works that English teachers could include in their classrooms are:

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