“The limits of my language are the limits of my world.”
This quotation by Ludwig Wittgenstein, a famous philosopher of the 19th century, shows how important second language learning is in our modern society. Language is one of the main components of the society and culture of the people who speak it. People speaking different languages are important for the community in which they work and live, because they can connect different cultural groups. Besides this social factor, there is an economic need for multilingual people as well. Apart from the requirement of translators and interpreters, there are an increasing number of jobs where people are required to interact with people from foreign countries. The ability of communicating in two or more language can be an essential reason for getting your dream job. Another advantage of speaking different languages is that it makes travelling much easier and gives you the opportunity of maintaining friendships with people from all over the world.
Nowadays most children start learning a second and even a third language when they are still very young. Mostly they are not aware of the benefits of speaking different languages for their later lives. They simply learn it because it is in the curriculum of their school, which is designed for the needs of society rather than for the learner’s interests. This does not seem like a good point of departure for a successful learning process. So it is the teacher’s major challenge to motivate the students to put effort in learning the foreign language.
But how does motivation influence second language learning? This paper will define motivation and introduce different motivation theories. Then it will discuss the influences of motivation on second language learning and answer the question what teachers can do to motivate their students.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. What is Motivation?
3. Motivation Theories
3.1 Gardner’s Motivation Theory
3.2 The Process-Oriented Model by Dörnyei and Ottó
3.3 Self-determination theory by Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan
4. Influences on Second Language Learning
5. Motivation in the Classroom - How can Teachers influences the Motivation of their Students?
5.1 The Teacher’s Personality
5.2 Fulfilling Student’s Needs
5.3 School Concept
5.4 Methodology
5.5 Dörnyei’s Motivational Strategies
6. Summary
7. References
8. List of Figures
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is motivation crucial in second language acquisition?
Motivation is the driving force that determines the effort students put into learning. Without it, the long-term process of mastering a new language is unlikely to be successful.
What is Gardner’s Motivation Theory?
Gardner’s theory is a well-known framework in linguistics that distinguishes between different types of motivation, such as integrative and instrumental motivation, in language learning.
What is the Process-Oriented Model by Dörnyei and Ottó?
This model views motivation as a dynamic process that changes over time, consisting of different phases: pre-actional, actional, and post-actional.
How can teachers influence student motivation in the classroom?
Teachers can boost motivation through their personality, by fulfilling students' needs, using engaging methodologies, and applying specific motivational strategies like those proposed by Dörnyei.
What is the Self-Determination Theory (SDT)?
Developed by Deci and Ryan, SDT focuses on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the learning process.
- Quote paper
- Katharina Ochsenfahrt (Author), 2012, Motivation as a Factor in Second Language Acquisition, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/194731
