Náležitosti

1.6 
Motivation in Learning 
´What is motivation?´ ´Why to motivate young learners in language learning?´ 
´Why to motivate, not only young learners to consider pronunciation important in 
language?´ As ´motivation´ is another broad area connecting with language learning, for 
the purpose of the research, the topic is discussed briefly. 

---

16 
The first question deals with nature of ´motivation´. Although the term 
´motivation´ appears frequently in the field of education, various definitions, even 
further divided into sub-categories, exist. The web site called ´The Standards Site´ 
(http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/research/themes/gender/TueFeb100944292004/6666
45) defines “Motivation consists of a desire to learn the language and attitudes towards 
the learning situation.” Intrinsic
2
and Extrinsic
3
types of motivation are also discussed 
frequently but as they go beyond the needs of the research, the discussion will not go 
deeper. 
The second question looks for the reasons why ´motivation´ is important in the 
process of teaching and learning a language. According to Jeanne Ormrod “Motivation 
in education can have several effects on how students learn and their behavior towards 
subject 
matter.” 
(http:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motivation
#
Applications_in_education_and_instructional_
design) It can direct behaviour toward particular goals, lead to increased effort and 
energy, or lead to improved performance.
On the level of young learners, “primary 
concern of foreign language teachers is the creation of as many ways as possible of 
giving their pupils an appetite to learn.” (Brester, Ellis, Girard 2002, 5) Opal Dunn 
states, “They [young children] expect to use English in real experiences. Only as they 
grow older are they interested in things outside their immediate surroundings.” (1983, 
2)
The third question aims at motivation and developing pronunciation. On the 
level of developing pronunciation teachers should be able firstly “put into words 
reasons why good pronunciation should be aimed at.” (MacCarthy 1978, 9) Joanne 
Kenworthy, also stresses the importance of raising motivation when developing 
pronunciation, and says, “We can persuade learners of the importance of good 
pronunciation for ease of communication.”(1992, 9) Secondly, Jones emphasises 
“Pronunciation should more fully address the issues of motivation by creating an 
awareness of the importance of pronunciation.”(2002, 180)
2
Intrinsic motivation: Individuals are generally motivated intrinsically, when they do something
they enjoy, and then they are internally motivated.
3
Intrinsic motivation: Individuals are generally motivated intrinsically, when they do something that
they enjoy, when they are internally motivated.
(http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/research/themes/gender/TueFeb100944292004/666645) 

---

17 
Rodney Jones writes
It is obvious that creating a stronger link between pronunciation and 
communication can help increase learner’s motivation by upbringing 
pronunciation beyond the lowest common denominator of ´intelligibility´ and 
encouraging students´ awareness of its potential as a tool for making their 
language not only easier to understand but more effective. (2002, 183)
For the purpose of the research, activities both providing real experiences and 
aiming at developing pronunciation will be focused on mainly. 

---

18