Teaching English to students who couldn’t care less about learning it? Now that’s a challenge. Some show up because they have to, not because they want to. Others stare at the screen, barely responding, while a few make it painfully clear they’d rather be anywhere else.

As an ESL tutor at Rare Job, I’ve seen all kinds of students—young and old, beginners and advanced learners, eager participants and those who’d rather not be there. Soon, I’ll be teaching Taiwanese students, too, and I know I’ll meet a few reluctant learners along the way. It’s part of the job. But just because they start out uninterested doesn’t mean they have to stay that way.

So, how do you keep a disinterested learner from mentally checking out? This guide will walk you through practical ways to grab their attention, spark their curiosity, and (hopefully) make English lessons something they actually look forward to. Let’s get into it.

Understand the Root of Their Disinterest

Before you can turn a disinterested student into an engaged one, you need to figure out why they’re uninterested in the first place. There’s always a reason, and once you pinpoint it, you’ll know how to approach them.

Here are some common reasons why students lose interest—and what you can do about each one.

1. They’re learning English because they have to, not because they want to

Many students, especially younger ones, attend English lessons because their parents or school require them to. It’s not their choice, so they see it as just another task they have to sit through.

What you can do:

• Instead of forcing participation, make them feel heard. Ask, “If you could learn anything instead of English, what would it be?” This often leads to fun conversations where you can naturally weave in English.
• Give them a sense of control. Let them pick a topic for discussion or choose between two activities. This small choice can make them feel less trapped.
• Make it feel less like school. Use real-world conversations instead of rigid textbook drills.

2. They’re Afraid of Making Mistakes

Some students aren’t necessarily uninterested; they’re just scared of speaking up. Many Japanese learners are perfectionists—they’d rather say nothing than risk making a mistake.

What you can do:

• Normalize mistakes. Share a funny language mistake to show that errors are part of learning. For example, “When I was learning Japanese, I once said ‘kawaii’ (cute) instead of ‘kowai’ (scary) when describing a horror movie. My student laughed and said, ‘You think ghosts are cute?’” This lighthearted moment made it clear that mistakes aren’t embarrassing—they’re just part of the process.
• Avoid correcting them mid-sentence unless it’s necessary. Constant interruptions can kill confidence. Instead, repeat what they said incorrectly in a natural way without making a big deal out of it. If a student says, “He go to school every day,” instead of directly pointing out the mistake, you can respond naturally with, “Oh, he goes to school every day? That sounds tiring!” This way, they hear the correct sentence without feeling like they’ve been put on the spot.
• Celebrate effort, not just accuracy. If they struggle but try, acknowledge it: “That was a tricky sentence, but you did well explaining your idea!”

3. They Think English Has No Use in Their Life

Some students don’t see how English fits into their daily routine. If they don’t plan on traveling, working abroad, or using it for business, they won’t feel motivated to learn.

What you can do:

• Make English immediately useful for them. If they love gaming, introduce common English terms they already see but might not fully understand. For example, ask, “When you play online, have you seen ‘Respawn,’ ‘Loot,’ or ‘Buff’ in games? Do you know what they mean?” Then, break it down in a fun way:
  • Respawn – “Come back to life after dying in the game.”
  • Loot – “Items you collect, like weapons or coins.”
  • Buff – “A power-up that makes your character stronger.”
• Show real-world applications. Mention that many Japanese companies prefer employees who speak English. If they’re students, highlight how English skills can improve their chances of studying or working abroad.
• Use their favorite brands or interests. If they like Nike, ask, “Do you know what ‘Just Do It’ really means?” or if they like Starbucks, point out that ordering in English is a valuable skill, especially if they’re in another country.

4. The Lessons Are Too Hard or Too Easy

If a student feels overwhelmed, they might shut down. On the flip side, if they find the lesson too easy, they’ll get bored.

What you can do:

• For struggling students, simplify instructions. Instead of “Let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages,” say, “Tell me one good thing and one bad thing about it.”
• Use visuals, props, or even doodles to help explain tricky concepts.
• For advanced students, challenge them with fun debates, hypothetical questions, or real-world problem-solving scenarios.
• Adapt to their level on the spot. If a student struggles to answer, rephrase the question or offer a choice: “Do you like summer or winter better?” instead of “What’s your favorite season and why?”

5. They’re Distracted or Tired

Some students are just mentally drained. If they’ve had a long day at school or work, English class might be the last thing they want to do.

What you can do:

• Start with light conversation. Ask about their day in a casual way before jumping into the lesson.
• Let them vent a little. If they say, “I’m so tired,” don’t just brush it off. Respond with “Oh no, long day? What happened?” A small chat can help them feel more comfortable.
• Switch up the format. If they look exhausted, avoid long reading exercises. Instead, try a speaking game, quick role-play, or a simple listening activity.

Every student has a reason for their lack of enthusiasm. Instead of seeing it as a personal challenge, approach it like solving a puzzle. Up next are the tips to keep them engaged. Keep on reading.

Keep Lessons Interactive and Fun

No one enjoys a one-sided lesson where the teacher talks nonstop while the student just nods. If you want to keep them engaged, turn the lesson into a conversation, not a lecture.

1. Maximize the Platform’s Diverse Lesson Materials

One of the great things about RareJob is the variety of lesson materials available. From daily conversations to business English, there’s always something relevant. The role-play scenarios are especially fun—so don’t just read through them mechanically. Make them more engaging by adding a twist.

For example, if the role-play is about ordering food at a restaurant, spice it up:

• Act as an overly dramatic waiter: “Ah, sir! A fine choice! The chef will be honored to prepare your exquisite meal!”
• Let the student prank you: “Sorry, but I’d like to order a pizza at this sushi restaurant.”

This keeps things light and helps students loosen up while practicing real-world conversations.

2. Use Games and Challenges

A little competition can make even the most reluctant student participate. Try a simple “5-Second Challenge” where they have five seconds to name three things in a category (e.g., “Name three animals that start with ‘C’”). The pressure makes it fun, and they practice quick thinking in English.

For younger students, word association games work well. Say a word, and they have to respond with something related. If you say “beach,” they could say “sand,” “waves,” or “vacation.”

3. Turn Boring Exercises Into Role-Playing

Grammar drills? Snooze. Instead, make them role-play real-life situations. Since RareJob’s materials already include a variety of scenarios, make the most of them by adding humor or personal touches.

• If the lesson is about shopping, have them negotiate like a pro: “Can I get a discount if I smile?”
• If it’s about giving directions, pretend to be a very lost tourist: “Excuse me, I think I just walked past the same ramen shop five times. Help?”

4. Use Visuals and Props

If your student struggles with vocabulary, a quick drawing or a simple gesture can work wonders. Try using virtual whiteboards or even holding up objects (a cup, a book, a pen) to reinforce learning.

Be Patient and Adjust Your Teaching Approach

Not every student learns at the same pace. Some pick up new concepts quickly, while others need more time. If a student seems uninterested, it might not be because they don’t care—it could be that the lesson isn’t matching their learning style.

1. Slow Down When Needed

If a student struggles to answer, don’t rush them. Instead of repeating the question the same way, rephrase it in a simpler way or give them choices.

• Instead of “What’s your dream job?” try “Do you want to be a doctor, a teacher, or something else?”

2. Gauge Their Energy and Adjust Accordingly

Some students start class looking exhausted or unmotivated. If that’s the case, lighten the mood with a simple warm-up. A quick casual chat like “What did you eat today?” can ease them in before jumping into the lesson.

On the other hand, if they seem energetic, use that to your advantage by adding quick-response activities like speed vocabulary games or interactive role-plays.

3. Adapt to Their Strengths and Weaknesses

• If they enjoy listening but struggle with speaking, let them express ideas in short, simple sentences first before pushing for longer explanations.
• If they find reading too slow, summarize key points together instead of reading everything word for word.

The goal is to make the lesson feel natural, not forced. A little flexibility goes a long way in keeping students engaged and making English learning feel less intimidating.

Give Them More Control Over Their Learning

Students are more engaged when they feel like they have a say in how they learn. If everything is dictated to them, lessons can feel like a chore. But when they get to make choices, they feel more involved and motivated.

1. Let Them Pick Topics They Enjoy

RareJob materials cover a wide range of topics, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow them rigidly. If a student seems uninterested, ask, “Would you like to continue with this topic, or do you want to talk about something else today?”

For example:

• If a lesson is about business, but they love anime, connect the topic to something familiar. “If you started an anime merchandise business, what would you sell?”
• If they enjoy sports, tweak a grammar lesson into something relevant. “Let’s use past tense to talk about your last basketball game.”

A little customization makes a huge difference in keeping them engaged.

2. Give Them Choices in Activities

Some students love reading exercises, while others prefer speaking. Instead of forcing one approach, let them choose how they want to practice.

• “Would you like to read this article first, or do you want me to summarize it and discuss?”
• “Do you want to answer this in full sentences or just give quick responses?”

Giving options makes them feel less pressured and more in control.

3. Let Them Set Personal Learning Goals

Many students don’t know exactly why they’re learning English beyond general expectations. Help them take ownership by asking, “What do you want to improve the most—speaking, listening, vocabulary?” Then, remind them of their goal throughout the lessons.

For example:

• If a student wants to improve speaking confidence, praise their effort in conversations: “You’re speaking more smoothly now! Remember when you used to pause a lot?”
• If they want to build vocabulary, let them keep a ‘word of the day’ list from each lesson and review it later.

When students see their progress in areas they care about, they’ll feel more motivated to keep learning.

Final Thoughts

Every student is different, and not all will come to class eager to learn. But disinterest isn’t a dead end—it’s just a sign that something needs to change. A little creativity, flexibility, and patience can go a long way in turning passive learners into active ones.

At the end of the day, the goal is to create an environment where students feel comfortable enough to try, improve, and maybe even enjoy the process. The right approach can make all the difference, and sometimes, the smallest adjustments are the ones that stick.

So, the next time you’re faced with a student who seems disengaged, see it as an opportunity. A shift in strategy might be all it takes to turn things around.