MOTIVATING SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS: FROM MAJOR L2 MOTIVATION THEORIES TO IMPLICATIONS FOR L2 CLASSROOM PRACTICE AND RESEARCH

Abstract

Motivation has long been emphasized as a determinant factor in a learning process in general, and second language (L2) acquisition in particular. Equivalent to such importance, a vast number of theories and models have been proposed in the literature to explain why students choose to learn a second language. The proliferation of L2 motivational theories and models in the literature, however, might have caused certain confusion to practitioners and researchers in choosing a suitable methodological and theoretical framework for their teaching practice and research. This paper aims to address this concern by critically reviewing the major L2 motivation approaches and their featured L2 motivational models to date, based on which several implications will be made for L2 teachers who seek to create a motivating language teaching practice, and for L2 researchers whose goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the construct in their empirical enquiries.