An Exploration of Young Learners' Motivation Level inLight of TEYL Principles: Private vs. Public Schools in Sialkot

Abstract

This study explores the young learners' motivation level in light of TEYL (Teaching English to Young Learners) principles in Sialkot public and private schools. This study uses the qualitative descriptive research methodology, and data is collected through semi-structured interviews with the teachers serving in public and private schools.Understanding young learners involves comprehensively investigating student development, education, and well-being. This exploration encompasses a range of interdisciplinary perspectives, including educational psychology, early childhood development, pedagogy, and socio-cultural factors. Researchers delve into young learners' cognitive, emotional, social, and physical dimensions to understand their learning processes, needs, and experiences. Additionally, exploring young learners involves examining effective teaching strategies, curriculum design, assessment methods, and classroom environments that promote optimal learning outcomes for children. The motivation level of students in Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL) classrooms is influenced by applying TEYL principles, which prioritize creating engaging, interactive, and developmentally appropriate learning environments. By incorporating principles such as meaningful context, active participation, and play-based activities, TEYL educators can foster intrinsic motivation among young learners. The teachers from both sectors highlighted the factors, strategies and challenges they encountered while teaching. They also pinpointed some disparities in the motivation levels of the young learners stemming from their environment. Moreover, they emphasized the use of technology for employing TEYL principles and the governing bodies' role to resolve the disparities, uplift the school environment and provide the resources to dispel these disparities in the motivational levels of the young learners. This study finds out that for the implementation of TEYL principles, the “Rewards”, “Interactive Classrooms”, and "Use of Audio-Visual Aids" play a significant role in uplifting the motivation level of young learners in both public and private schools in Sialkot.