Motivation is one of the key factors driving language learning success. Without student motivation, there is no pulse; there is no life in the class. This paper is an attempt to look at what motivates the students of Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) to learn English and the relationship between students' motivation and their English achievement.…

The concepts and roles of motivation and attitude in relation to second language learning are examined. Motivation can be characterized as primary or derivative, and intrinsic or extrinsic. Attitude is a motivational factor generated by context. Motivation and attitude play an important role in all situations which are not natural, such as school…

Studies of motivation as a factor in learning success imply that, in second language learning, low self-expectancy for success leads to a low level of motivation no matter how attractive foreign language programs might be. The belief that there is no causal connection between his or her own behavior and learning success prevents the learner from…

The conventional psycholinguistic views of a strictly cognitive nature are reductive with respect to the complexity of the learning process. In language learning, motivation is viewed variously: (1) as a co-essential and equally powerful factor with linguistic aptitude and personality traits; (2) as arising from interaction between organism and…

The role of such affective variables as integrative motivation in successful adult second language learning is explored. It is argued that the myth of the melting pot is based on commitment to integration, and that integrative motivation is thus viewed as desirable in minority group members. Studies of affective variables in second language…

This study investigated the relationship between attitudinal/motivational factors and English second language proficiency among student teachers. Subjects were 198 full-time, first-year teacher trainees in a Hong Kong college of education, of traditional college age and enrolled in both 2- and 3-year English-medium and Chinese-medium instructional…

A study examined the relationship between self-concept and motivation to learn English among Puerto Rican upper elementary school children from low socioeconomic status families. Fifty-seven native Spanish-speaking students attending urban bilingual education programs rated themselves on a pictorial self-concept scale and responded to a…

Progress that has been made in second language research in the last two years and future directions in the research methodology of second language studies are discussed. In order to examine the continuation and expansion of current research, the research reported by Schumann (1976) is compared with current research as represented by the titles of…

In 1982-83 a formative evaluation of the second-year English as a second language program at the University of Puerto Rico was conducted to examine whether the current curriculum was meeting the English language needs of the students. The instrument used was a questionnaire in Spanish to measure the students' self-assessed proficiency in English,…

This paper explores the need for radical reform in the training of foreign language teachers. This change would provide language teachers with an understanding of the social and psychological aspects of language learning, especially motivation; the nature of linguisitc systems and how individuals create and use them; and the relationship of…

This study investigated variables associated with students' attitudes about second language use and second language learning. Subjects were 173 university students in foreign language classes. The questionnaire consisted of 27 Likert-type statements addressing such issues in language learning as performance anxiety, self-confidence, interest in…

Literary instruction as a central element of language instruction for non-language majors at the secondary and college level is advocated to remotivate American students to learn languages. This approach is not directed at those who need oral skills, such as prospective language teachers, interpreters, and translators. It is suggested that more…

This paper presents a number of hypotheses concerned with individual learning strategies based on a pre-experimental, observational case study. Three children (two seven-year-olds and one eleven-year-old) native speakers of Hebrew were the subjects of the study. The language data collected from them consisted of spontaneous speech about their…

This is a discussion on the role that cognitive and affective variables play in second language learning. The variables under consideration are: (1) intelligence; (2) language aptitude; (3) motivation; and (4) anxiety. Specifically, this report focuses on the importace of attitudinal and motivational factors in achievement. Research is reviewed…

In the twentieth century, both the need and the opportunities for acquiring a foreign language have greatly increased. However, even today, foreign language instruction has not been firmly established worldwide as an essential element of basic education. In Great Britain, enthusiasm for foreign language instruction has risen and fallen repeatedly.…