Motivation, an influential factor for L2 Acquisition?

Motivation,  an  influential factor for L2 Acquisition?

 -------How can the less intelligent learners enhance motivation

Second language acquisition (SLA) is the study of how second languages are learned and the factors that influence the process. , According to the research, motivation serves as the influential factors for L2 acquisition.

What is motivation?

Motivation, defined as the impetus to create and sustain intentions and goal-seeking acts (Ames & Ames, 1989), is important because it determines the extent of the learner's active involvement and attitude toward learning. In other word, it is an inner drive, impulse, emotion, or desire that moves one to a particular action. More specially, humans universally have needs or drive which are more or less innate, yet their intensity is environmentally conditioned.(Brown)

Motivation is the learner’s orientation regarding the goal of learning a second language (Crookes and Schmidt 1991).  It is extremely important to understand the nature of student motivation because research shows that motivation plays a major part in students' choices of language learning strategies and the proficiency levels they achieve. However, language instructors often are not aware of the specific motivations of their students. The work is based on the extensive research of the role of attitudes and motivation in second language acquisition by Gardner and Lambert (1972), Dornyei (1998), and others. An eventual theory of second-language teaching should take into account not only scientific knowledge coming from contributing sciences (linguistics, psychology, etc.), but also practical knowledge of language teachers.

Maslow(1970) listed hierarchical human needs. The picture is as follows:

                    Being Needs

                    Self-actualization

                    Esteem  needs

                    Belonging needs

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