Motivation as a factor in Second Language Acquisition

Motivation, being the learner’s orientation towards the goal of learning a second language, is thought to make students more successful and more likely to acquire the target language. Unlike first language learners, for whom a natural inclination drives the target language acquisition, motivation is a crucial factor in the acquisition of a second language. It is also theorized that “integrative motivation typically underlies successful acquisition of a wide range of registers and a native like pronunciation" (Finegan 1999:568) Motivation in this sense includes a need to learn the language, getting to know the people and the culture of that language and a desire to integrate and acculturate into the society of the target language.