Strategies For Initiating Learners' Participation In Class Activities

This study aims to examine the potential factors, which could influence the learners' participation in classroom activities, hoping to find some effective motivational strategies and learning strategies to enhance the learners' participation in class activities and improve their spoken English. In order to accomplish this task, the author of this paper used such research methods as classroom observation, questionnaire and interview. At the beginning of the research, the author observed classrooms and interviewed students, and used the questionnaire. At the end of the research, the same research methods were also used.In the action research, data were collected from 54 students who were selected randomly in experimental class by using a questionnaire. Qualitative results were obtained from classroom observations and interviews from Class 1 and Class 2. Findings provide evidence that some factors affect the learners' participation in class activities. They are listed as follow: 1) Lack of learning strategies. 2) Lack of learning motivation. 3) Lack of self-confidence. 4) Lack of learning goals. 5) Lack of self-determination. 6) Lack of information about learning activities content. 7) Lack of effective teaching approaches. 8) Lack of favorable learning environment. 9) Lack of effective classroom evaluation techniques. 10) The influence of affective factors.Based on the above factors, the author analyzed the factors carefully and took some measures to motivate learners to participate in class activities. Some...