Role of Motivation in Second Language Acquisition Research Paper

Role of Motivation in Second Language Acquisition - Research Paper Example Through a questionnaire that sought to ascertain the level of their motivation and anxiety towards English acquisition as a second language, I was able to set up the base for a formal research to examine the level of motivational and anxiety patterns as a result, of second language learning. More significantly, the subjects of the research were Saudi student who was studying English for their general academic purposes and latter use in their careers expressed dissatisfaction in their early education. More so, the students indicated that both social and psychological problems caused them difficulty when studying English as a second language in their earlier education at primary, intermediate and secondary schools for a period of seven years. Literature Review In most cases, motivation as a way of enhancing second language learning is important for an individual to acquire successfully language competence. Therefore, this section of the research gives an overview of literature that is considered relevant in establishing my research objectives. More than often, it is hard to describe the motivation because of it complex phenomenon in different facets of life. Shuib & Al-Tamimi (2009) put more emphasis on the fact that, proper motivation remains relevant among learners of a second language as a way of enhancing their language competence. More significantly, both the social and individual decisions in the degree of effort and emphasis people make, as they set their goals in second language depends on the source of motivation.... More than often, it is hard to describe the motivation because of it complex phenomenon in different facets of life. Shuib & Al-Tamimi (2009) put more emphasis on the fact that, proper motivation remains relevant among learners of a second language as a way of enhancing their language competence. More significantly, both the social and individual decisions in the degree of effort and emphasis people make, as they set their goals in second language depends on the source of motivation. On the other hand, Ghazi et al. (2010) described the motivation as the voluntary forces that give an individual the will to develop direction, arousal, and persistence of goal-directed towards achievement of success in second language acquisition. In addition, they believe that motivation acts as a driving force that compels, energizes and prompts an individual to develop interest in a second language learning within a particular time in which focus is set on attaining a specified goal. Rubenfeld et al. (2007) describe the motivation as self-determination, which drives an individual’s motives towards their goal pursuits as inspired by either intrinsic or extrinsic aspirations. More so, the goals that drive an individual’s motive is aimed at attaining both the basic and psychological needs that later on leads to external approval and rewards (Dekker & Fischer, 2008). As a result, students undertaking English learning, as their second language in their studies derive their motivation from extrinsic goals. Even so, learners of second language could be driven by intrinsic goals as they intend to enhance their sense of belonging within the community that uses a second