How do I get my 13-year-old son to be more interested in English?

Question

I and his teachers have tried many methods including the government guidlines, but have failed. The boy simply has a profound dislike of the English language or related subjects and issues.

Answer 1

I used to be the same... (and I still am in many ways!)

The only options I can suggest are:

Try taking him to see lots of different plays and theatre productions, so he gradually becomes interested in (even if it's only a little bit of) English. Once he's got into the swing of things - go and see a production by 'Shakespeare4Kidz'. (see http://www.shakespeare4kidz.com/ for tour dates etc.) Their shows are very enjoyable for both children and parents, light-hearted and humorous, and are a great introduction to the world of English for your child.

Get him into reading - introduce him to the 'Alex Rider Series' by Anthony Horowitz, which he will really enjoy, 100% guaranteed! Buy the first book (Stormbreaker), and, if he's reluctant to try, offer him some kind of reward that he will appreciate.

Eventually, when he's really into reading, make sure you take him to your local library asap, and get him to choose his own books - usually you can take out 8 at a time, so encourage him to fill his card, and, if he's bored of a book half way through, he can start another!

Reading is the key to improving your child's English skills and also their interest in the subject. Make sure you introduce these new 'methods' as soon as possible, bearing in mind that he will have to take the compulsory English Literature and English Language GCSEs in just a few years!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Well, I have friends who aren't interested in English, so I guess it can't sometimes be helped. But what you can do is show him how English can be enjoyable. Does he like sports? There are a lot of great sports books. You might also want to see if maybe he's being too challenged or not challenged at all. Though some people think only those who are under grade level get bored, that's not true. Introduce your son to books that intrigue him and focus on his interests. Make reading and English the resource from which he learns about things he actually enjoys.

Answer 3

Is he studying a language other than English? If so the grammar aspects can be tremendously helpful in understanding English grammar. If it is literature that he doesn't like find some books that deal with some of his interests. There are tons and tons of books out there on sports, cars, computer geeks, etc. , if he starts reading things he has an interest in he may develop a desire to read other things. Writing can be improved simply by doing it. Even writing E mail can be of help. Perhaps you could have him write a daily journal on his computer describing what he did each day, what was enjoyable, why it was enjoyable, what was a chore (aside from writing the journal) why it was a chore. There probably has to be some kind of incremental reward built into the journal idea. After each week of journal entries he gets x after a month of journal entries he gets y etc.

Answer 4

I love English. . .always have, but as an 8th grade English teacher, I see lots of kids who've learned to hate it. Here are some suggestions. For these kids, you've got to try something totally different, but what you do depends on his reading level.

If he hates English, and is reading BELOW grade-level:
--invest in some high-interest low-level reading. I've put some links below. These books come in a variety of topics, so you should be able to find one he'll like. My favorite thing about them is that even though they're at a low level, they don't look babyish.

--lots of low-level readers are discouraged or associate reading with feeling stupid. Take away the reading part of it for a bit, and work on skills that readers need. For example, watch a movie with your son, and afterward discuss what happened (plot), the characters (round/flat, static/dynamic), the lesson (theme), and emotions (theme). These are English concepts, and he can learn them without reading. That way when you ease him into reading he'll already be successful.

--Delve into functional literature. Have him read the directions to you when you put together a shelf or something. Have him write thank you letters for gifts, or just friendly letters to relatives once a month.

--Consider alternative literature. Comic books are reading, and a great gateway to books. Start with a trip to the comic book store, and let him pick out any one he wants. This is especially cool when they're a theory. Once he's hooked, it's only a slight stretch to find novels by the same authors or on the same subjects.

If he hates English and reads AT or ABOVE grade-level
--start with what he IS interested in. If he's a hugely active kid, who loves sports for example there are always coffee table books about sports teams, and biographies.

--Give him projects that involve reading to "sneak" it in. Have him research a topic he loves, and create a fact booklet. He has to read to do this. Have hime investigate different appliances you're considering buying and read reviews. Have him research something to teach a younger sibling or cousin. etc.

--Read with him. Pick a book on a topic he likes. Buy 2 copies. Set aside time when you both read, then talk about what you read. In this way, he's not a student, but an equal partner in the reading process.

Basically all of these are ideas to get him at least a little interested. Once he starts reading, it'll be easier to get him to do more. Please remember though, that you have to keep this fun.

Answer 5

Pick topics that interests him... English doesn't have to be about sitting writing or reading... there are a lot of games that use language skills plus if he is into a particular hobby (football for example, there is match programs for reading, writing out team lists or a Football Managers Journal / team instructions etc etc. Give your son the opportunity to discover language in a way he does enjoy it :o)

Answer 6

What does he like?
No child is ever going to do something that they can't understand. Make it into something he likes... Like if he's into HIP HOP and Rap, get him to write an essay or a story about Tupac Amaru Shakur, or Eminem. Or Cars? Anything that will get his attention. Make it interesting. Or he's just gonna look at it and say "Baye give up while your ahead, I aint doin it!"
Im a school teacher and I always make all my subjects interesting so that the students enjoy it, they learn something and it challenges them. By the end of the 1st term their right into a subject that they hated only cos no one ever took the time to explain it to them, or made it worth doin. Give it a go!

Answer 7

You can lead a horse to water but you can not make him drink.
You can not make your son like English, or even appreciate it. You can only try to make him understand it, and grasp the general concepts, if you have done that then you are doing fine.... interest will come in time. Or, he may never truly love it, and that you will have to accept.

Answer 8

You should know first why he lost hid interest in schooling. Having him a tutor everyday makes me think that you are pressuring him too much. Maybe you should loosen him up with some family activities or let him find his hobby.

Answer 9

if he doesnt like it and he's 13 what can i say...hes not going to like it no matter what you do...but some things in life we dont like but we have to deal anyways. try to find what his interests are and pertain english w./ that.

Answer 10

take him to the Globe Theatre let him see the where shakespeare was and show him one of the shakepeares plays. that should work. first u have to get him like the about english. tell him about R&J get him to like it and that will work but dont bother him too much coz we dont like that.