2458 MOTIVATION IN LANGUAGE LEARNING Duong Khoi Nguyen Faculty of English, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) Supervisor Do Thi Song Tuyen (MA) ABSTRACT Motivation is an important and[.]
MOTIVATION IN LANGUAGE LEARNING Duong Khoi Nguyen Faculty of English, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) Supervisor: Do Thi Song Tuyen (MA) ABSTRACT Motivation is an important and necessary factor for promoting student learning and ensuring success in language learning However, many students are still unable to determine their motivation, which may influence their attitude as well as their results Numerous studies have been carried out to investigate motivation in language learners This paper aims to discuss some issues related to students’ motivation for learning Some relevant and useful motivational learning and teaching applications are also recommended for the enhancement and improvement of students' motivation Keywords: Motivation, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation INTRODUCTION Motivation has long been identified as one of the main factors affecting language learning (Gardner, 1985) It seems to be important to students to know why they learn something Motivation determines the rate and success of second language attainment because it provides the primary promotion to initiate learning a foreign or second language and later the driving force to maintain the long often boring learning process What motivation is and how it influences student learning will be mentioned LEARNING MOTIVATION 2.1 What is motivation? Motivation is the reason for people's actions, willingness and goals Motivation is derived from the word motive which is defined as a need that requires satisfaction These needs could also be wants or desires that are acquired through influence of culture, society, lifestyle, etc or generally innate Motivation is one's direction to behavior, or what causes a person to want to repeat a behavior, a set of force that acts behind the motives Motivation has been considered as one of the most important reasons that inspires a person to move forward 2.2 Types of motivation There are two types of motivation: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation 2.2.1 Intrinsic Motivation As Cherry (2018) stated, ‚intrinsic motivation involves engaging in a behavior because it is personally rewarding; essentially, performing an activity for its own sake rather than the desire for some 2458 external reward‛ Essentially, it is the motivation that comes from within you For example: you want to study English because you love the language and want to invest more in English You are not forced by someone (your family, your teacher, etc.) to study English Intrinsic motivation has many advantages and disadvantages Advantages: Intrinsic motivation is the most effective way to motivate yourself It helps you focus more and thus work harder than normal This type of motivation is also long-lasting and selfsustaining Your aim will also focus more on the subject rather than the rewards Students who are intrinsically motivated are more likely to engage in the task willingly as well as work to improve their skills, which will increase their capabilities Disadvantages: This type of motivation can be slow to affect behavior and can require special and lengthy preparation Students are all different from each other so only a small number of students can take advantage of intrinsic motivation 2.2.2 Extrinsic Motivation Extrinsic motivation comes from influences outside of the individual In extrinsic motivation, the harder question to answer is where people get the motivation to carry out and continue to push with persistence Usually extrinsic motivation is used to attain outcomes that a person wouldn't get from intrinsic motivation Common extrinsic motivations are rewards (for example money or grades) for showing the desired behavior, and the threat of punishment following misbehavior The clearest example of this type is a competition because it encourages the performer to win and to beat others, not simply to enjoy the intrinsic rewards of the activity A cheering crowd and the desire to win a trophy are also extrinsic incentives (Dewani, 2013) Like intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation also has many advantages and disadvantages Advantages: This type can motivate a large number of people They are also more successful at motivating someone To some students, extrinsic motivation can affect their behaviours easier and can help them become better at the subjects they are studying Disadvantages: Extrinsic motivation can lead to overjustification and a large reduction in intrinsic motivation and thus making the student less interested in the subjects they are studying It can also lead to inhibition in many students when they realize that the rewards are not worth their efforts 2.2.3 Differences between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation The most simple distinction between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation is the type of reasons or goals that lead to an action While intrinsic motivation refers to doing something because it is inherently interesting or enjoyable, extrinsic motivation, refers to doing something because it leads to a separable outcome Extrinsic motivation thus contrasts with intrinsic motivation, which is doing an activity simply for the enjoyment of the activity itself, instead of for its instrumental value (Ryan, 2000) There are different ways to motivate a student Intrinsic motivation focuses more on the internal thoughts of a student while extrinsic motivation focuses more on external ways to motivate Intrinsic motivation takes a longer time to motivate a student while extrinsic motivation takes a much shorter 2459 time Extrinsic motivation also has a wider range of effects than intrinsic motivation Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation affect students differently While most people would suggest that intrinsic motivation is better for some students, others may find it impossible to motivate themselves and rely on the rewards to be able to study Nowadays, extrinsic motivation is the type that many teachers choose to motivate their students and because of that, it is used more than intrinsic motivation Therefore, both types are equally effective 2.3 Influence of Intrinsic Motivation and Extrinsic Motivation on Learning According to Cherry (2018), ‚extrinsic and intrinsic motivation can play a significant role in learning settings‛ Some experts argue that the traditional emphasis on external rewards such as grades, report cards, and gold stars undermines any existing intrinsic motivation that students might have Others suggest that these extrinsic motivators help students feel more competent in the classroom, thus enhancing intrinsic motivation It may appear that the reason some students are more engaged and perform better in class activities relative to other students is because some are more motivated than others However, current research suggests that motivation is not concrete or quantifiable; it is ‚dynamic, context sensitive, and changeable.‛ Thus, students have the flexibility to, intrinsically, motivate themselves to engage in an activity or learn something new even if they were not intrinsically motivated in the first place While having this type of flexibility is important, research reveals that a teacher's teaching style and the school environment also play a factor in student motivation (Maclellan, 2005) CONCLUSION In conclusion, both types of motivation are great at motivating students The job of teachers is to find ways to improve intrinsic motivation in students and help them love learning Students, on the other hand, have to be prepared to take some responsibility for their own learning By this we can ensure that students view the language and the learning experience in a positive light REFERENCES [1] Cheery, K 2018 Extrinsic vs Intrinsic Motivation: What's the Difference? Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/differences-between-extrinsic-and-intrinsic-motivation2795384 [2] Dewani, V 2013 "Motivation" Slideshare Retrieved 22 March 2013 [3] Gardner, R C 1985 Attitudes and motivation in second language learning [4] Rowley, MA: Newbury House Maclellan 2005 "Academic achievement: The role of praise in motivating students" Active Learning in Higher Education [5] Ryan, R M 2000 "Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions" Contemporary Educational Psychology 25 (1): 54–67 2460 ... than intrinsic motivation Therefore, both types are equally effective 2.3 Influence of Intrinsic Motivation and Extrinsic Motivation on Learning According to Cherry (2018), ‚extrinsic and intrinsic... between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation The most simple distinction between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation is the type of reasons or goals that lead to an action While intrinsic motivation. .. students can take advantage of intrinsic motivation 2.2.2 Extrinsic Motivation Extrinsic motivation comes from influences outside of the individual In extrinsic motivation, the harder question