Motivating Students within Autism Spectrum Disorder to Develop their L2 English Language : Teaching Methods for Motivation in Swedish Secondary Schools

Abstract: Drawing on theories about and previous research on second language (L2) motivation and   students with special needs, the present study adopts a content analysis approach to examine how L2 English teachers, in Swedish secondary schools, motivate students within Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to develop their English language. This topic was investigated by interviewing three teachers at different schools with experience of working with ASD students. A semi-structured interview format was used. The findings revealed that the teachers used many different methods in order to motivate their students. They deliberately planned for their students to feel included in the plan for their respective education in English and often connected assignments to individual students’ interests. Further, they praised their students’ positive qualities and tried to work so that the students saw that there was a ‘profit’ from completing each assignment. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that different study materials could be useful for students within ASD. One of the teachers had received advice from The National Agency for Special Needs Education and Schools to apply to the teaching of students in special needs education; she found the suggested advice complex.