Parent Guide: How can you motivate your child?

English is a subject notorious for parents not knowing how they can help. The jargon of the NESA syllabus, the peculiarity of English questions and the changes in how English is taught and tested makes it near impossible to help. To my knowledge, many high school English students are familiar with this story. A story where ‘English motivation’ and ‘parents’ are too separate entities. However, despite this mountain of obstacles in the way, I am hoping to help you with ways you can help to motivate your child with high school English.

1.     Help Eliminate All Distractions

Distractions are everywhere nowadays. Children are all equipped with phones that send out endless and endless and endless notifications that simply cannot be ignored. I’m sure you can’t resist answering that text message or email immediately when you see it pop up on your computer screen or phone. So, now imagine that tenfold as to account for your child’s endless array of group chat messages, social media and gaming notifications. Distractions are truly every high school student’s kryptonite. Now, how can you eliminate all distractions?

Firstly, you can either work in the same room as them whilst they are studying on English so you can keep a watchful eye on their progress. Or you can install ‘cold turkey’ style applications on their phone and computer with timers and time limits on their favourite apps. This is very helpful in providing your children structure with the additional benefit of procrastination being minimal. And if successful, reward your child if they can effectively remove themselves from distractions. Rewards, whether it be some Netflix time or being able to have a run around with friends are great motivators and can truly help your child get their head down for an effective hour or two of English study.

2.     Read or Watch the Text with your Child

Even if you can’t help your child with the specifics of English that is riddled throughout high school English, you can still help your child and motivate them by reading their text alongside them or watching the text if it is a film or even watching an adaption of the written text. Take for example, Shakespeare – a text which has left children and parents equally bewildered. But, given the advent of modern film making, there are endless Shakespearean adaptions for film that start with the highly representative work of Kenneth Branagh and extend to the more theatrical interpretations of Baz Luhrmann with his encapsulating take on Romeo & Juliet. Moreover, this allows for you to have dinner table discussions with your child about their text and they will feel genuinely motivated if they believe you are engaged by their text which often they will label as ‘plain boring’.

3.     Find a Tutor

It is not just a jump from primary school English to high school English. It is a ginormous leap of faith over a crater of unknowns, mystery and confusion. English in high school is a different beast that often overwhelms year 7-10 students. Students no longer focus on grammar, vocabulary, dictation and reading comprehension but are thrown into the deep end of writing succinctly constructed extended paragraphs, theses and essays that are of an incredibly high standard. Finding a tutor who has recently excelled in English at high school is akin to having an Olympic athlete as your coach. Tutors with knowledge of the current expectations of English can provide your child with a structured path to success with all the tips and intricate strategies they used to excel. English at high school is more competitive than it ever has been and finding a capable tutor for your child early on in high school is now an essential way you can help your child. Letting them see a previous student who has been in their position is truly a great tool for motivation.

4.     Stay Positive and Calm

All years in high school are stressful. As alluded to, expectations are higher than ever and all this pressure can easily build up on your children. And this is not just a thought, it is a fact – a recent study by UNSW found that 40% of HSC students suffered anxiety, depression and high stress symptoms. So, to help motivate your child with English, be there for them and lend a helping hand. This can come in many forms and often changes on a case by case basis. But, one constant amongst all cases that helps relieve stress is an informative tutor who can be an amazing guide for your child as they journey through the pressures of high school English.

I hope this article has clearly outlined many ways to help your child with high school English as it truly is a bigger challenge than it has ever been.