The Effort You Put in Determines the English You Get Out

 

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The Effort You Put in Determines the English You Get Out

Some students think, "This class is too easy. I don’t even need to do the homework or assignments to pass." And at first glance, they might be right. My grading system rewards effort—you get points for simply attempting the homework, even if your answers aren’t perfect. I do this because I want to encourage participation and practice, the two most important aspects of learning a language.

But here’s the problem: Some students take this as a free pass to do nothing. They assume that since the exams aren’t extremely difficult, they’ll pass without putting in real effort. And while that might be true technically, it completely misses the point.

Why Some Students Fail (and Others Succeed)

Last semester, I noticed something interesting. Some students who weren’t strong in English decided to skip assignments, assuming they could still pass. Others, however, took advantage of every opportunity to improve. One key example? The individual assignment. It wasn’t worth many points, so a lot of students just ignored it, thinking they didn’t need it.

The result? Some students failed by just one point. Those who had done the individual assignment received the extra point they needed to pass. But those who skipped it? I let their final grade stand as it was.

Did I enjoy failing them? Of course not. But I had to draw a line. If I let students believe they can do nothing and still pass, I would lose their respect, and the value of my class would mean nothing. More importantly, they would lose the opportunity to actually improve their English.

The Real Test: Your Future

Here’s the truth: The students who put in the effort now will be the ones who see results later. English isn’t just another school subject—it’s a key that unlocks opportunities. Imagine missing out on a great job just because you didn’t take your English studies seriously when you had the chance.

And that brings me to something else I noticed in class. I once played a video for discussion, asking students to watch and answer questions. When I looked around the room, most students were staring at their phones. Only two were actually watching the video.

No wonder only a few students succeed. Is it a lack of ability? No. It’s a lack of motivation.

That’s why I tell stories about success. Because success doesn’t come to those who wait—it comes to those who are willing to pay the price.

So ask yourself: Are you putting in the effort to succeed? Or are you just hoping to scrape by?

The choice is yours. But remember—your future will reflect the effort you put in today.

Article by Marcelo Gameiro

Published 03 Mar 2025