5 ways to reinspire your students after the summer holidays

Joanna Wiseman
A class of students sat at desks in a classroom looking at their teacher stood at the front

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.

Explore more lesson tips in our blog posts

More blogs from ɫèAV

  • Grammar 101: insider tips and tricks to instantly improve your writing (part 4)

    By
    Reading time: 7 minutes

    Punctuation makes your writing easier to read and understand, but it can be tricky to master. As an editor and proofreader, I often notice people confusing semi-colons and colons, so we'll explore the difference between them. And because both are often used in lists, we'll also look at the humble comma – and its sometimes-controversional cousin, the Oxford comma.Ìý

    Semi-colons and colons both connect phrases in a sentence but are used in different situations.Ìý

    Understanding colons

    Colons introduce important information and explanations. They're often used before lists as a replacement for phrases like "they are" and "which is":

    • He offered me a choice of drinks: tea, coffee or hot chocolate.Ìý
    • I packed the essentials in my bag: water, pens and a magazine.Ìý
    • She speaks three languages: English, French and Portuguese.Ìý

    You can also think of a colon as a spotlight, with the phrase that comes after the colon explaining or expanding what came before it.Ìý

    • In 1903, travel was changed forever by an important event: Orville and Wilbur Wright's first successful flight.
    • He loves visiting the animals at the farm: cows are his favourite.Ìý
    • There is one rule I live by: I treat others as I wish to be treated.

    The secrets of semi-colons

    A semi-colon links two ideas that are closely related and that would be two complete sentences if you used a period instead. They give a softer transition than a period would, and they're often used instead of conjunctions like "and", "but" and "because":

    • I love eating pizza; my sister loves eating burgers.
    • I wanted to go for a swim; I couldn't find my goggles.Ìý
    • I'm going to the park; the weather is beautiful.

    Semi-colons also seperate items in long lists to make life easier for the reader and stop a sentence becoming a sea of apostrophes. For example:

    • I've got my shopping list ready: peppers, carrots and oranges from the market; toothpaste, shampoo and pain relief from the drugstore; and a newspaper, snack and drink from the newsstand. Ìý

    Standard comma or Oxford comma?

    An Oxford comma goes before "and" or "or" at the end of a list. The first example has an Oxford comma, the second doesn't.Ìý

    • Please bring me a sandwich made with cheese, lettuce, and tomato.Ìý
    • Please bring me a sandwich made with cheese, lettuce and tomato.Ìý

    American English generally favors the Oxford comma, British English typically omits it, unless needed for clarity. Compare:

    • I love my parents, Taylor Swift and Keanu Reeves.
    • I love my parents, Taylor Swift, and Keanu Reeves.Ìý

    As with many areas of punctuation, whether you choose to use the Oxford comma is a matter of personal preference. However, the most important thing is to be consistent in your usage.Ìý

  • A person in a striped shirt writes with a marker on a whiteboard, holding a clip board

    Clear path to fast-track progress: Why choose assessment underpinned by the GSE

    By
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    At the beginning of every school year, we welcome new learners into our classrooms with the same core question: Where are our students now, and how far can we take them?

    For English teachers, this reveals a huge challenge. In a single class, we might have one student at an A2 level, while others are solidly B1 or just entering A2+. Navigating such a wide range of abilities can feel overwhelming.

    We’ve all seen it: students can spend months (or even years) studying English and still feel like they haven’t moved up a level. Teachers work incredibly hard, and students put in the effort, but progress feels intangible. Why is that? And more importantly, how can schools make it easier to see and support that progress?

    In recent years, I have found a powerful ally in answering that question: the Global Scale of English (GSE). Backed by ɫèAV and aligned with the CEFR, the GSE offers more than just levels, it provides a clear, data-informed path to language growth. Most importantly, it gives teachers and school leaders the ability to set meaningful goals and measure real progress.

    But, how is this useful at the beginning of the school year?

    Starting with assessment

    To get a clear picture from the start, assessment is essential; there’s no doubt about it. However, it can't just be a punctuation mark at the end of a term or a requirement from administration. Used strategically, this first assessment can be the compass that guides instruction and curriculum decisions, empowering both teachers and students from day one. This is why choosing the correct assessment tools becomes fundamental.

    The GSE difference: Precision, clarity, confidence

    Unlike the broad bands of the CEFR, the GSE provides a granular scale from 10 to 90, breaking down each skill into precise learning objectives. This allows educators to monitor progress at a much closer level, often identifying improvements that would otherwise go unnoticed.

    When learners see that their score has moved from 36 to 42, even if their overall CEFR level hasn’t changed, they gain confidence. They recognize that learning is a continuous process rather than a series of steps. Teachers, in turn, are able to validate growth, provide clear evidence of learning and tailor instruction to the learner’s current needs, not just their general level.

    For example, two students might both be classified as "A2", but the GSE gives us a much clearer picture: a student with a GSE score of 35 is likely mastering simple sentences, while another student scoring 40 might already be comfortable writing simple stories and is ready to tackle B1-level tasks.

    This isn't just data: it's a roadmap. It tells us exactly what to teach next, allowing us to differentiate with confidence instead of relying solely on gut feeling.

    GSE tools that make it happen

    ɫèAV offers a comprehensive range of GSE-aligned assessment tools that support different stages of the learning journey. Each tool plays a distinct role in placement, diagnosis, benchmarking or certification.

  • A person in a denim jacket and striped shirt holds glasses and a notebook, standing by a window with bright daylight.

    What happens in the brain when you learn a language?

    By
    Reading time: 7 minutes

    Whether you’re picking up Spanish for travel, Mandarin for business or French just for fun, you’re not only expanding your communication skills, you’re also giving your brain a powerful workout. But what actually happens inside your brain when you learn a language?Ìý

    The brain’s language centers

    Your brain is made up of many parts and two areas are significant for language:

    • : Located in the frontal lobe, this region helps you produce speech and form sentences.
    • : Found in the temporal lobe, this area helps you understand spoken and written language.

    When you start learning a new language, these areas get busy. They work together to help you listen, speak, read and write in your new language (Friederici, 2011).