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The new academic year is here and we're getting ready to head back to the English classroom. Yet, after a long and relaxing summer holiday, some students may feel unmotivated to return to the same class routine, especially if they have been learning English for several years. So, how can we reinspire students to keep learning and reconnect with English? By bringing in new resources, learning approaches and targets, we are sure you'll be able to rekindle their love of learning.

So let's look at five ways to reinspire your English students in the coming academic year.

1. Set new goals

Students may lose interest in classes or feel discouraged when they don't have a clear target to work towards. If this is the case with your class, have them write up a list of five new goals they'd like to achieve.Ìý

These goals must be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely. So rather than just saying "I'd like to learn more vocabulary", have students make it SMART.Ìý

For example:

Specific: "I'd like to learn new advanced vocabulary to use in my writing."

Measurable: "I'll test myself to see if I can define and use 20 new words in sentences."

Achievable: "I will dedicate 2 hours a week to studying the definitions and writing example sentences in context."

Relevant: "This will help me get a good score in myÌýÌýas I struggle with formal academic language."

Timely: "I will learn 20 new words by the end of September."

If learners find it difficult to think of goals, ask them to write one for each language skill: listening, reading, writing and speaking. You can also refer to the GSE Teacher Toolkit, which has hundreds of learning objectives organized by age, level, skill type and more.

The idea is to encourage them to set clear objectives, giving them an exciting new challenge to work towards for the year ahead.

2. Encourage students to find conversation partners

Students may lose interest in improving their English if they've only been studying in a classroom. They may see it as something boring and unrelated to their real lives.Ìý

A great way to tackle this is by encouraging them to talk with English speakers outside of class. By doing this, they'll pick up new vocabulary and expressions, giving them more confidenceÌýin their language abilities.Ìý

Suggest that they attend a language exchange.ÌýÌýandÌýÌýareÌýgreat platforms to find regular language exchange events in their local area. While this is suitable for intermediate learners and above, it may be a bit daunting for beginners.Ìý

In this case, the appÌýÌýmay be a suitable alternative. Similar to a language exchange, learners can connect with people from around the world. They can choose people with a similar level as them and either write messages, send short audios, or do video calls, depending on their ability and confidence.Ìý

Communicating with real people is a fun and encouraging reason for your learners to want to improve.

3. Introduce interesting new vocabulary

Students may become disheartened if they've been learning for years but aren't seeing much progress. A simple and effective way to help them improve their level is by encouraging them toÌýexpand their vocabulary.Ìý

They already have to study a lot of vocabulary from their textbooks, so why not give it a more personal twist and ask for suggestions of topics that interest them?Ìý

Maybe they are gamers and want to learn how to communicate better with other players around the world. Select vocabulary about styles of games, turn-taking, and strategizing that they could use – they can practice in class and be thrilled to be given homework.

Perhaps some of your students want to study or work abroad. This may be a common topic, but one thing that is not frequently discussed is how to deal with the paperwork of living in another country. For example, getting into more specific language about banking, housing rentals, or setting up wifi will help them feel more confident about their move. Though these things differ between countries, there is a lot of overlapping vocabulary and roleplaying will do wonders to reassure and excite them about their upcoming adventures.

By allowing your students to take control of their learning, their motivation is naturally higher and you too will enjoy finding out specific language about their interests.

4. Work on specific problem areasÌý

Language learners may become frustrated and lose motivation if they continue to make the same mistakes. It may cause them to feel disheartened in their abilities and want to give up, especially for those who aim to sit exams. You can help them level up by identifying specific problem areas and tailoring your classes to work on these.Ìý

Tests can help your learners discover their weaknesses and avoid the frustration of sitting and not passing an exam. They'll be able to pinpoint what they need to work on, and you can dedicate your classes to exactly what they need, rather than cover areas they may not have problems with.

For example, if students are experiencing difficulties with reading comprehension, you could try introducing more varied reading materials. Ask them to bring in blog posts, magazines and news articles on topics that they find interesting. Highlight keywords in the text to enhance their understanding of the piece and create comprehension questions similar to the test format they'll take.Ìý

By giving a little extra attention to fixing problem areas, learners will soon start to see their progress, encouraging and inspiring them to keep going.

5. Change your class formatÌý

Sometimes learners become demotivated simply because they have become too used to the format of the classes. If this is the case, you might want to take a break from the textbook and try more creative language learning methods. For example:

Use interactive games

Suitable for all levels, you can use platforms such asÌýÌýorÌý to test your learners. They offer a new dimension to the class, encouraging students to have fun with the language. Divide them into teams to add an element of competition – there's nothing like a friendly game to excite students!

Set project work

Put your class into small groups and have them work on a project to present to the rest of the group. Choose topics they might cover in their textbooks, such as occupations, travel or cultural traditions. Or even better – let students come up with their own! This activity can be modified to suit all levels and offers a challenge as learners will need to push their language limits.

Hold class debatesÌý

More suitable for intermediate learners and above, class debates get everyone talking. You can ask students to brainstorm topics they're interested in. You can offer prompts such as climate change, the advertising of junk food or the impacts of social media. They'll be happy to talk about things that concern them.

Throw in some unexpected activities to bring students' attention back to class and spark their interest in learning again.

As the school year reaches its end, high school students and those aiming for a master's degree are getting ready to engage in the demanding application procedure for a program at a university abroad. Pursuing education overseas is highly desired by many individuals, as it expands their personal and professional perspectives and fosters comprehensive development.

Notably, the UAE places significant emphasis on sending students abroad for studies, with reports suggesting an approximate annual count of . At the same time,ÌýKSA has introduced the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program for certain qualitative majors at leading international universities to support its Vision 2030.

1. Choose your university:

The first step is to narrow down the best universities for your program of choice. Essential factors to consider include the cost of living, tuition fees, career opportunities in the country, including your overall safety and well-being. When it comes to the MENA region, popular destinations for study-abroad aspirants are the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. These countries serve as gateways for personal and professional growth.

2. Shortlist what you need to apply:

The next stage involves verifying the requirements of the application process for your chosen program and university. Most academic institutions typically request academic transcripts, identification documents, a personal essay, letters of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency. If English isn't your native language, demonstrating your ability to read, write, speak, and understand English is essential to comprehend course materials and to obtain your student visa.

To fulfill this requirement, you will need to register for and successfully complete an English-language proficiency test such as the PTE Academic. The PTE offers various preparation options, including Scored Practice Tests, PTE Academic Question Banks, the Official Guide to PTE Academic, and the PTE Academic English Booster. These resources provide comprehensive information and practical advice for each exam section, simplifying your preparation process.

3. Find out if you're eligible to work

Just because you've been granted a visa to live in a country doesn't mean you have the right to work full-time. Many student visas put a cap on how many hours people can work.

For example, in Australia, students can work up to 40 hours every two weeks during the school term. You'll likely have permission to work full-time if you're not on a student visa. However, many countries require you to apply for a social insurance number – or something similar – before you can.

4. Create a budget

Before moving to a new country, you should have some savings. In some cases, depending on your visa type and the country you're moving to, you might be required to show proof of savings with your visa application.

Day-to-day living costs may also be more expensive abroad, and it could take you longer than anticipated to find a job – so it's important to have money put away to help you settle in. Many governments offer cost-of-living calculators online, which can be an excellent resource for new immigrants.

When you arrive, you'll also need to open a bank account. This can often be done online. Some banks even have accounts specifically designed for newcomers and offer credit cards to help build credit history.

5. Check if your test scores are accepted by the university/country:

Verify that your chosen school accepts the language test you plan to take to avoid spending money on an incompatible test. For example, the computer-based PTE Academic test is recognized by 3,000 academic institutions worldwide, including countries such as Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, and more. Furthermore, it is approved by the UK, Australia, and New Zealand governments for all types of visas. PTE UKVI for example, is a home office-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for all visas that require a four-skill language test and is recognized by 99% of UK universities and colleges.

The PTE Academic employs an AI-based scoring system, ensuring 100% impartiality so only the candidate's responses influence the scores. Test-takers have the flexibility to select a convenient test slot, which can be scheduled as little as 24 hours in advance. Multiple test centers across MENA exist, most notably in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam in KSA; Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Doha in Qatar. Moreover, the test can be taken from the comfort of one's home. PTE Academic delivers results within 36 hours on average, enabling test-takers to make well-informed decisions about their next steps.

Millions of people around the globe aspire to move abroad to study or work as a stepping stone in their lives. Being able to speak English helps to make a real connection with people as it is the most commonly spoken language in the world, with over across the globe. The more proficient you are, the better you can express yourself. If you want to add value to your college applications, jobs or enhance your skills, taking an English language proficiency test can go a long way.

Check the English-language proficiency test off your list today:

At the beginning of term adolescent learners are often shy, embarrassed and awkward. They are reluctant to speak English in front of their peers or show enthusiasm in class, often suffering from social pressure and lack of self-confidence. It can take weeks or months for students to get to know each other and form bonds. However, don’t despair if your teen learners are like this. There are plenty of team-building games and activities you can do to help students build relationships that will allow them to feel comfortable and relaxed in the classroom.