The Influence of Rapport on Students’ Opinions Towards Interest in Learning, a Future Career and Their Personal Life

Abstract

The aim of this research is to know the opinion of a group of students about the role that rapport plays in both their personal and professional lives. The study was conducted as a result of the authors’ interest in how teachers’ interaction with students affects both their motivation, and their opinions toward a class. The research was of a qualitative nature, since what is sought to be found are students’ opinions. The study employed both personal semi-structured, and focus group interviews as the main methods to collect data. Participants of the study were Mexican and Canadian undergraduate students. The analysis of the interviews revealed four predominant themes: (1) aspects that make students feel interested in a class, (2) building rapport elements, (3) the influence of rapport on pursuing a teaching career and (4) rapport and its influence on students’ personal life.