When students see how a math equation, a historical event, or a scientific principle applies to their own lives, they start to realize that learning is relevant. For example: teaching economics? Show how budgeting works in the context of buying their favorite video game or planning a family trip. Discussing geometry? Relate it to architecture, fashion design, or sports. When content feels relevant, it becomes something worth learning because it has meaning, thus building intrinsic motivation. Sometimes, students don’t participate because they fear making mistakes or feel incapable of succeeding. Building a classroom culture that rewards questions, exploration, and effort over perfection can help students regain their confidence.

1. Set clear, achievable goals. eg: "If you complete this assignment on time, you'll be ready for the next big project. 2. Celebrate small wins. eg: "Remember when you mastered that difficult math problem? That was a small victory, just like climbing the first step of a tall mountain." 3. Relate learning to real life. eg: "Understanding percentages helps when you want to calculate discounts while shopping." 4. Encourage a growth mindset. eg: "Mistakes are part of learning, just like how a musician improves by practicing over time."

I usually make a short questionnaire asking my students what their interests are related to music, cinema, comics, hobbies, culture, fashion, famous people, ... Their answers help me to know them a bit better and awake their interest in class according to their own concerns, relating them to the targets of the subject. Secondly, make the lessons more approchable by creating expectation: start it with a little introduction to a famous person your students have previously mentioned in the questionnaire, relating that person to the topic of the day. That sort of introduction may capture their attention and create curiosity for what is coming on. Thirdly, make them protagonist of the following lesson: ask them to prepare a small project,9'.

Igniting passion in unmotivated students involves making learning relevant, fun, and personalized. Relate Content to Real Life: Connect lessons to everyday situations, helping students see the relevance and practical applications of what they’re learning. Incorporate Gamified Elements: Use gamification to make learning interactive and enjoyable, turning educational tasks into challenges and games. Provide Assignment Choices: Allow students to choose from various assignments, empowering them to engage with topics that align with their interests.

To ignite unmotivated students' passion for learning, I’d connect lessons to real-life experiences they care about, use hands-on activities, and give them some choice in their learning path. By making content relatable and incorporating engaging projects, students often feel more interested and empowered, transforming their attitude from passive to active participation in the classroom.