2015-08-21
301
Discuss in your group the following statements and mark them as true (T), false (F), or debatable (D).
| Statements | T F D |
| 1. Motivation in language learning is more important than language aptitude | |
| 2. Motivation for learning is impossible without learner’s success | |
| 3. Silent learner is never motivated to learn English for communication | |
| 4. Motivation for foreign language learning is independent from the interest in the target culture | |
| 5. Attaining a goal is a motivating factor for language learning | |
| 6. Interesting activity is the way to motivate the learners extrinsically | |
| 7. Offering a reward is the way to motivate the learners intrinsically |
The process of learning is driven by motivation. Motives are the personal reasons for behaviour, which are usually rooted in the human needs and act as the driving force for the activity (Roth, I. 1994. (Ed.) Introduction to Psychology. The Open University. Volume 1. P. 4). Motivation is evident in how a person is setting the goals, sustaining attention during the activity, invests efforts and persistence, perseveres and attains (Williams, M. and R. Burden. 1997. Psychology for Language Teachers. CUP. P. 121-122). Usually a person is motivated to get the knowledge if one feels secure in class, if this knowledge makes them closer to the class-mates (often learners are unwilling to demonstrate their knowledge as they are afraid of becoming the butt of bullying), if the knowledge helps them self-actualise their personality potential. Motivation hierarchy is shown by the graph (Maslow cited in Roth, I. 1994. (Ed.) Introduction to Psychology. The Open University. Volume 1. P. 436. Brown, H. 1994. Teaching by Principles..NJ P. 112). Motivation can have an effect on learning (causative motivation) and be influenced by the learning results (resultative motivation). It can be derived from the personal needs and interests (intrinsic motivation) and depends on the external sources such as a reward or fear of punishment (extrinsic motivation). Motivation can be enhanced by an attitude to the subject and general positive orientation towards the target language culture (integrative motivation). Motivation can arise from practical considerations (instrumental motivation) (Gardner, R. and W.Lambert. 1972. Attitudes and Motivation in Second-Language Learning. Newbury House. Massachusetts)
Exploratory task 2.2
