大学生的英语学习动机 The English learning motivation of college students

The English learning motivation of college students

Abstract: Motivation is considered the most positive factor, which is the direct promotion of student learning of internal motivation. Therefore, motivation is very essential in the learning of Foreign Language. As we all know, human activities are derived from a certain motive. This paper will concern about the type of motivation, effect factors, and some ways of stimulating and maintaining the English learning motivation, etc.

1. The definition of motivation

Motivation refers to some kind of driving force, either internal and external in human being. Learning motivation is thought as an inner drive, impulse, or desire that moves the learner to a particular action in language learning. English learning motivation is a factor in learner motivation to learn English.Canadian psychologist Professor Gardner said, “Motivation is a desire to learn a language, an effort to learn the language, and a comprehen sive good attitude that hold for learning a language.”

2. Different types of motivation

2.1 Intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation

According to Noels and other researchers’ Self - Determination theory, motivation is divided into intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.

2.1.1 Intrinsic motivation

“Intrinsic motivation is important than others.”Spolsky’s study about the foreign students just arrived in the United States, shown that they have a stronger desire to make their accent sounds like target language groups than the school accent. Psychologist Bruner think students’ learning motivation is from three internal motivations: curiosity, ambition, and the driving force of reciprocity. Intrinsic motivation is the important factor for foreign language learners, comes from their own personal interest, generated by the foreign language learners.

2.1.2 Extrinsic motivation

Extrinsic motivation refers to the external promotion of foreign language learners, simulated by some external temptations such as money, fame, etc. It is dominated by the external situation and had to learn foreign language, for instance, in order to get diploma, high scores, promotion, rewards, recognition or others to learn foreign language. And these motivations are put forward by the learner’s parents, teachers or others. We can use external motivation to encourage students to learn foreign language. However, it is must be noticed that the learner is likely to give up foreign language learning as external motivation is not from the learner's own interest. So be sure to fully mobilize the learner's internal motivation.

2.2 Integrative motivation and instrumental motivation

Integrative motivation and instrumental motivation are regard as