Krashen's Affective Filter hypothesis

& Affect in Language Learning

 Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition
consists of five main hypotheses:

1- Natural order 'We acquire the rules of language in a predictable order'

hypothesis:

2- Acquisition/ Learning
Hypothesis: 'Adults have two distinctive ways of developing competences in second languages .. acquisition,
that is by using language for real communication (natural environment) ... learning .. "knowing
about" language'

3- Monitor Hypothesis:
'Conscious learning ... can only be used as a Monitor or an editor'
(those who use the monitor a lot are slow learners => too conscious of what they say)

4- Input Hypothesis:
'Humans acquire language in only one way - by understanding messages or by receiving
"comprehensible input"'
(comprehensible input = data we hear around us; if we are relaxed, it goes directly to our heads)

5- Affective Filter 'A mental block, caused by affective factors ... that prevents input from reaching the language
Hypothesis: acquisition device'
 In this presentation, we are only interested in the fifth hypothesis -- The Affective Filter
Hypothesis-- which stipulates that a number of 'affective variables' play a facilitative, but non-
causal, role in second language acquisition. These variables include: motivation, self-confidence
and anxiety. Krashen claims that learners with high motivation, self-confidence, a good self-
image, and a low level of anxiety are better equipped for success in second language acquisition.
Low motivation, low self-esteem, and debilitating anxiety can combine to 'raise' the affective filter
and form a 'mental block' that prevents comprehensible input from being used for acquisition. In
other words, when the filter is 'up' it impedes language acquisition. (Krashen, 1985)
What we conclude then is that Affect plays a very important role in second language acquisition.
It needs to be taken into consideration by L2 teachers so they make sure that the students'
affective filter is low at all times in order for learning to take place.
Since this presentation is only related to Motivation, it will not cover the two other variables: self-
confidence and anxiety.
Before we start by defining motivation, mentioning its sources and different theories/models and
their implications, we believe it is worth asking one question that seems to guide all theorists'
and researchers' work: "Why do people learn a second or foreign language? In other words, what
is their Goal?
 1- Why Do People Learn a
Second/Foreign Language?

This seems to be the key question in all kinds of research!

And of course, the reasons vary from a person to another.
 Here are a few suggestions:
•Fulfill school/university requirements
•Function and compete effectively in the global economy of today and the future
•Increase job opportunities and salary potential
•Develop intercultural sensitivity, increasing global understanding
•Improve English vocabulary and language proficiency in order to communicate with
members of that language community.
•Improve critical and creative thinking skills
•Improve one's education
•Enhance travel and study abroad opportunities
•Enjoy great literary and musical masterpieces and films in their original language
•Improve likelihood of acceptance into university and graduate schools
•Increase understanding of people in own country
•Gain social power (prestige)
•Have a secret code
•Please one's parents
•Any other reason(s)?

After all, we, as teachers, need to find the student's motives so that we can accommodate them.
 4- Definitions of Motivation

However simple and easy the word "motivation" might appear, it is in fact very difficult to define. It
seems to have been impossible for theorists to reach consensus on a single definition.
•Here are a few that I have found in the literature:
•According to the Webster's, to motivate means to provide with a motive, a need or desire that
causes a person to act.
•According to Gardner (1985), motivation is concerned with the question, "Why does an organism
behave as it does?
Motivation involves 4 aspects:
•A Goal
•An Effort
•A Desire to attain the goal
•Favorable Attitude toward the activity in question.

•Motivation is also defined as the impetus to create and sustain intentions and goal-seeking acts
(Ames & Ames, 1989). It is important because it determines the extent of the learner's active
involvement and attitude toward learning. (Ngeow, Karen Yeok-Hwa, 1998)
Motivation is a desire to achieve a goal, combined with the energy to work towards that goal.
Many researchers consider motivation as one of the main elements that determine success in
developing a second or foreign language; it determines the extent of active, personal involvement
in L2 learning. (Oxford & Shearin, 1994)
Sometimes a distinction is made between positive and negative motivation.
Positive motivation is a response which includes enjoyment and optimism about the tasks that you
are involved in.
Negative motivation involves undertaking tasks for fear that there should be undesirable
outcomes, eg. failing a subject, if tasks are not completed.
What can we infer from all those definitions? What are the keywords that "Motivation"
triggers in our minds?
 2- Definitions of L2

It is crucial here to mention the difference between a Second and a Foreign language, which are both
referred to as L2.

People who are living in an English-speaking community/country are learning English as their
SECOND language. "The learner of the second language is surrounded by stimulation, both visual and
auditory, in the target language and thus has many motivational and instructional advantages." (Oxford
& Shearin, 1994)
.
As for those who are not living in an English-speaking community/country, they are learning English
as a FOREIGN language. "Foreign language learners are surrounded by their own native language
and have to go out of their way to find stimulation and input in the target language. These students
typically receive input in the new language only in the classroom and by artificial means, no matter how
talented the teacher is." (Oxford & Shearin, 1994)
 3- Good L2 Learners

Research has shown that the use of specific learning strategies & techniques while
studying a second or foreign language leads to success. "The conscious, tailored use of
such strategies is related to language achievement and proficiency. (Oxford, 1994)
Some of those strategies:
Rubin (1975) suggested that good L2 learners
 are willing and accurate guessers;
 have a strong drive to communicate;
 are often uninhibited, and if they are, they combat inhibition by using positive self-talk, by
extensive use of practicing in private, and by putting themselves in situations where they
have to participate communicatively.
 are willing to make mistakes;
 focus on form by looking for patterns and analyzing;
 take advantage of all practice opportunities;
 monitor their speech as well as that of others;
 and pay attention to meaning.
One of the factors that influence the choice of strategies used among students learning a
second/foreign language is Motivation. More motivated students tend to use more strategies
than less motivated students, hence, they tend to be more successful. (Oxford, 1990a)
 MOTIVATION

.
 *Goal  *Energy
 *Effort  *Active involvement
 *Desire  *Persistence

Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.

--Napolean Hill --
 5- Sources of Motivation
"Without knowing where the roots of motivation lie, how can teachers water those roots?"
(Oxford & Shearin, 1994- p.15)
Educational psychologists point to three major sources of motivation in learning (Fisher, 1990):
•The learner’s natural interest: intrinsic satisfaction
•The teacher/institution/employment: extrinsic reward
•Success in the task: combining satisfaction and reward

"While teachers and school systems have drawn on both of the first two sources of motivation,
the third source is perhaps under-exploited in language teaching. This is the simple fact of
success, and the effect that this has on our view of what we do. As human beings, we generally
like what we do well, and are therefore more likely to do it again, and put in more effort . . .
In the classroom, this can mean that students who develop an image of
themselves as ‘no good at English’ will simply avoid situations which tell them what they already
know – that they aren’t any good at English. Feelings of failure, particularly early on in a
student’s school career, can therefore lead to a downward spiral of a self- perception of low
ability – low motivation – low effort – low achievement – low motivation – low achievement, and
so on." Littlejohn, Andrew, November, 2001 ENGLISH TEACHING professional, Issue 19, March 2001

In general, explanations regarding the source(s) of motivation can be categorized as either extrinsic
(outside the person) or intrinsic (internal to the person). Intrinsic sources and corresponding theories can
be further subcategorized as either body/physical, mind/mental (i.e., cognitive, affective, conative) or
transpersonal/spiritual.
Note: Conation = inclination to act purposefully; impulse. (Webster's)
"It is an intrinsic 'unrest' of the organism, almost the opposite of homeostasis.
A conscious tendency to act... a conscious striving." (English & English, 1958)
Note: Vicarious learning = the acquisition of knowledge or ability
through indirect experience and observation, rather than direct
experience or practice.

(Harcourt Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology)

The following chart provides a brief overview of the different sources of
motivation that have been studied. While INITIATION of action can be
traced to each of these domains, it appears likely that PERSISTENCE
may be more related to emotions and/or the affective area (optimism
vs. pessimism; self- esteem; etc.) or to conation and goal-orientation.
 Sources of Motivational Needs
elicited by stimulus associated/ connected to innately connected stimulus
behavioral/external obtain desired, pleasant consequences (rewards) or escape/avoid undesired, unpleasant consequences
imitate positive models

increase/decrease stimulation (arousal)

biological activate senses (taste, touch, smell, etc.)
decrease hunger, thirst, discomfort, etc.
maintain homeostasis, balance

increase/decrease affective dissonance (inconsistency)

increase feeling good
affective decrease feeling bad
increase security of or decrease threats to self-esteem
maintain levels of optimism and enthusiasm

maintain attention to something interesting or threatening

develop meaning or understanding
cognitive increase/decrease cognitive disequilibrium; uncertainty
solve a problem or make a decision
figure something out
eliminate threat or risk

meet individually developed/selected goal

obtain personal dream
conative take control of one's life
eliminate threats to meeting goal, obtaining dream
reduce others' control of one's life

spiritual understand purpose of one's life

connect self to ultimate unknowns
 6- Theories of Motivation
A- Behavioral Theories
Drive:.(Hull) urgent, basic, or instinctual need: a motivating physiological
condition of an organism.
Learned motives
Classical conditioning: (Pavlov) it states that biological responses to
associated stimuli energize and direct behavior.
Instrumental/operant learning: (Skinner) it states that the primary
factor is consequences: reinforcers are incentives to increase behavior
and punishers are disincentives that result in a decrease in behavior.
(Stimulus => response => reward)
The desire of reward is one of the strongest incentives of human
conduct; ... the best security for the fidelity of mankind is to make their
interest coincide with their duty. --Alexander Hamilton (The Federalist
Papers)
 3. Observational/social learning: (Bandura) it suggests that modeling (imitating
others) and vicarious learning (watching others have consequences applied to their
behavior) are important motivators of behavior.
.
Incentive motivation: it refers to goal-directed behavior (behavior that is "pulled" more
than "pushed"). Seeking of rewards; avoidance of punishers.
Unlike drives, which were thought to be innate, incentives are usually considered to be
learned.
Behaviorists explain motivation in terms of external stimuli and reinforcement. The
physical environment and actions of the teacher are of prime importance.
 B- Cognitive Theories
Expectancy-value/VIE theory: (Vroom, 1964) it proposes the following equation:
Motivation =
Perceived Probability of Success (Expectancy)
Connection of Success and Reward-- material benefit (Instrumentality)
Value of Obtaining Goal (Valence, Value)
(VIE = Valence, Instrumentality, Expectancy)
.
Since this formula states that the three factors of Expectancy, Instrumentality, and Valence or Value
are to be multiplied by each other, a low value in one will result in a low value of motivation.
Therefore, all three must be present in order for motivation to occur. That is, if an individual doesn't
believe he or she can be successful at a task OR the individual does not see a connection between
his or her activity and success OR the individual does not value the results of success, then the
probability is lowered that the individual will engage in the required learning activity. From the
perspective of this theory, all three variables must be high in order for motivation and the resulting
behavior to be high.
=> An individual will act in a certain way based on the expectation that the act will be followed by a
given outcome and on the attractiveness of that outcome to the individual.
Attribution theory: (Heider, 1958; Weiner, 1974). This theory proposes that every individual tries to
explain success or failure of self and others by offering certain "attributions." These attributions are
either internal or external and are either under control or not under control. The following chart
shows the four attributions that result from a combination of internal or external locus of control and
whether or not control is possible.
 Internal External
No Control Ability Luck
Control Effort Task Difficulty

In a teaching/learning environment, it is important to assist the learner

to develop a self-attribution explanation of effort (internal, control). If the
person has an attribution of ability (internal, no control) as soon as the
individual experiences some difficulties in the learning process, he or
she will decrease appropriate learning behavior. If the person has an
external attribution, then nothing the person can do will help that
individual in a learning situation (i.e., responsibility for demonstrating
what has been learned is completely outside the person). In this case,
there is nothing to be done by the individual when learning problems
occur.
Cognitive dissonance theory: it was developed by Leon Festinger (1957) and
states that when there is a discrepancy between two beliefs, two actions, or
between a belief and an action, we will act to resolve conflict and discrepancies.
The implication is that if we can create the appropriate amount of disequilibrium,
this will in turn lead to the individual changing his or her behavior which in turn
will lead to a change in thought patterns which in turn leads to more change in
behavior.

According to the Webster's, cognitive dissonance is a psychological conflict

resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously.
Weiner (1990) points out that behavioral theories tend to focus on
extrinsic motivation (i.e., rewards) while cognitive theories deal with
intrinsic motivation (i.e., goals).
Cognitivists explain motivation in terms of a person's active search for
meaning and satisfaction in life. Thus, motivation is internal.
 C- Cognitive Developmental Theories
Stages of Cognitive Development (Piaget, 1972, 1990)
According to Piaget, children are motivated to develop their cognitive or mental abilities
in a predictable set of stages:
Sensorimotor stage (Infancy, 0 to 2 years). In this period (which has 6 stages),
intelligence is demonstrated through motor activity without the use of symbols.
Knowledge of the world is limited (but developing) because its based on physical
interactions / experiences. Children acquire object permanence at about 7 months
of age (memory). Physical development (mobility) allows the child to begin
developing new intellectual abilities. Some symbollic (language) abilities are
developed at the end of this stage.
Pre-operational stage (Toddler and Early Childhood, 2-7 years). In this period
(which has two substages), intelligence is demonstrated through the use of
symbols, language use matures, and memory and imagination are developed, but
thinking is done in a nonlogical, nonreversable manner. Egocentric thinking
predominates
Concrete operational stage (Elementary and early adolescence, 7-12 years). In
this stage (characterized by 7 types of conservation: number, length, liquid, mass,
weight, area, volume), intelligence is demonstarted through logical and systematic
manipulation of symbols related to concrete objects. Operational thinking develops
(mental actions that are reversible). Egocentric thought diminishes.
Formal operational stage (Adolescence and adulthood, 12 years –adult). In this stage,
intelligence is demonstrated through the logical use of symbols related to abstract
concepts. Early in the period there is a return to egocentric thought. Only 35% of high
school graduates in industrialized countries obtain formal operations; many people do not
think formally during adulthood
<=> According to this model, fulfillment of the previous stage is necessary for
advancement to the next stage.
In order for the child to be motivated, parents and teachers need to challenge his/her
abilities, but NOT present material or information that is too far beyond the child's
level. It is also recommended that teachers use a wide variety of concrete
experiences to motivate the child (e.g., use of manipulatives, working in groups to get
experience seeing from another's perspective, field trips, etc).
 Zone of proximal development (Lev Vygotsky, 1978)
The Zone of Proximal Development is the distance between the learner's
actual developmental level and the level of potential development; it is the
gap between what we are trying to teach and the current state of
development in that area. If the gap is too large, instruction won’t be
effective; too small and the learner won’t be extended, therefore teachers
must have background knowledge of those they teach.
=> Scaffolded instruction involves an instructor or advanced peer working to
support the development of the learner. The instructor should guide the
learner in such a way that the gap is bridged between the learner’s current
skill levels and the desired skill level. As learners become more proficient,
able to complete tasks on their own that they could not initially do without
assistance, the guidance can be withdrawn.
Students' needs, goals and interests must be the starting point if
motivation is to occur.
For motivation and progress to exist, instructional input to students
must be Challenging & Relevant. (Oxford & Shearin, 1994)
 D- Achievement Motivation Theories
Achievement motivation theories: (Atkinson & Raynor, 1974)
Need for achievement: individuals with a high need for achievement are
interested in excellence for its own sake (rather for extrinsic rewards),
tend to initiate achievement activities, work with heightened intensity on
these tasks, and persist in the face of failure.
Fear of failure: The main drive to do well comes from avoiding a
negative outcome rather than approaching a positive one.
Fear of success: "Nerd" vs. "cool" => Fear of losing social support
(affiliation).
Goal-theory: (Locke & Latham, 1994) it has differentiated three separate
types of goals:
Mastery goals (also called learning goals) which focus on gaining
competence or mastering a new set of knowledge or skills;
Performance/normative goals (also called ego-involvement goals)
which focus on achieving normative-based standards, doing better than
others, or doing well without a lot of effort;
Social goals which focus on relationships among people (see Ames,
1992; Dweck, 1986; Urdan & Maehr, 1995).
=> interpersonal skills- cooperative learning.
In the context of school learning, which involves operating in a
relatively structured environment, students with mastery goals
outperform students with either performance or social goals. However,
in life success, it seems critical that individuals have all three types of
goals in order to be very successful.
One aspect of this theory is that individuals are motivated to either
avoid failure (more often associated with performance goals) or
achieve success (more often associated with mastery goals). In the
former situation, the individual is more likely to select easy or difficult
tasks, thereby either achieving success or having a good excuse for
why failure occurred. In the latter situation, the individual is more likely
to select moderately difficult tasks which will provide an interesting
challenge, but still keep the high expectations for success.
E- Psychoanalytic Theories
The psychoanalytic theories of motivation propose a variety of
fundamental influences:

Freud (1990) suggested that all action or behavior is a result of

internal, biological instincts that are classified into two
categories: life (sexual) and death (aggression).
.
Erikson (1993) and Sullivan (1968) proposed that interpersonal
and social relationships are fundamental. (=> cooperative
learning)
 Adler (1989) proposed power (money => as a motivator. ex: lawyers)
Jung (1953, 1997) proposed temperament and search for soul or personal meaningfulness.
Erikson's Theory of Socioemotional Development
Stage Age Expected Resolution
Trust
Child develops a belief that the environment can be counted on to meet
vs. Infancy
his or her basic physiological and social needs
Mistrust
Autonomy Child learns what he/she can control and develops a sense of free will
vs. Toddlerhood and corresponding sense of regret and sorrow for inappropriate use of
Shame and Doubt self-control.
Initiative
Child learns to begin action, to explore, to imagine as well as feeling
vs. Early Childhood
remorse for actions
Guilt

Accomplishment/Industr
y Middle Childhood/ Child learns to do things well or correctly in comparison to a standard
vs. Elementary or to others
Inferiority

Develops a sense of self in relationship to others and to own internal

Identity
thoughts and desires (Later work has shown two substages: a social
vs. Adolescence
identity focusing on which group a person will identify with and a
Role Confusion
personal identity focusing on abilities, goals, possibilities, etc.)

Initimacy
Develops ability to give and receive love; begins to make long-term
vs. Young Adult
commitment to relationships
Isolation
Generativity
vs. Middle Adulthood Develops interest in guiding the development of the next generation
Stagnation
Ego Integrity Develops a sense of acceptance of life as it was lived and the
vs. Older Adulthood importance of the people and relationships that individual developed
Despair over the lifespan
 F- Humanistic Theories
Humanistic "theories" of learning tend to be highly value-driven
and hence more like prescriptions rather than descriptions.
They emphasise the "natural desire" of everyone to learn. They
maintain that learners need to be empowered and to have
control over the learning process. So the teacher relinquishes a
great deal of authority and becomes a facilitator.
.
Hierarchy of Human Needs: (Abraham Maslow, 1954). It is
based on two groupings: deficiency needs and growth needs.
Within the deficiency needs, each lower need must be met
before moving to the next higher level.
The first four levels (Deficiency Needs) are:
1) Physiological: hunger, thirst, bodily comforts, etc.;
2) Safety/security: out of danger;
3) Belonginess and Love: affiliate with others, be accepted; and
4) Esteem: to achieve, be competent, gain approval and recognition.
According to Maslow, an individual is ready to act upon the growth needs if
and only if the deficiency needs are met.
The remaining four levels (Growth Needs) are:
5) Cognitive: to know, to understand, and explore;
6) Aesthetic: symmetry, order, and beauty;
7) Self-actualization: to find self-fulfillment and realize one's potential;
Self-actualized people are characterized by:
Being problem-focused;
Appreciating life;
Showing concern about personal growth;
Showing ability to have peak experiences.
8) Transcendence: to help others find self-fulfillment and realize their
potential.
The essence of the hierarchy is the notion of “pre-potency”, which means
that you are not going to be motivated by any higher-level needs until your
lower-level ones have been satisfied.
Hierarchy of Motivational Needs.(Alderfer, 1972)

Level of Need Definition Properties

Satisfied through using capabilities in
Impels a person to make creative or
engaging problems; creates a greater
Growth productive effects on himself and his
sense of wholeness and fullness as a
environment
human being

Satisfied by mutually sharing thoughts

Involves relationships with significant
Relatedness and feelings; acceptance, confirmation,
others
understanding, and influence are elements

When divided among people one person's

Includes all of the various forms of
Existence gain is another's loss if resources are
material and psychological desires
limited
Maslow recognized that not all personalities followed his proposed
hierarchy. While a variety of personality dimensions might be considered
as related to motivational needs, one of the most often cited is that of
introversion and extroversion. Reorganizing Maslow's hierarchy based on
the work of Alderfer and considering the introversion/extroversion
dimension of personality results in three levels, each with an introverted
and extroverted component. This organization suggests there may be two
aspects of each level that differentiate how people relate to each set of
needs. Different personalities might relate more to one dimension than
the other. For example, an introvert at the level of Other/Relatedness
might be more concerned with his or her own perceptions of being
included in a group, whereas an extrovert at that same level would pay
more attention to how others value that membership.
 A Reorganization of Maslow's and Alderfer's Hierarchies

Level Introversion Extroversion

Transcendence (assisting in the
Self-Actualization (development
development of others'
of competencies [knowledge,
Growth competencies and character;
attitudes, and skills] and
relationships to the unknown,
character)
unknowable)

Personal identification with

Other Value of person by group
group, significant others
(Relatedness) . (Esteem)
(Belongingness)
Physiological, biological
Self Connectedness,
(including basic emotional
(Existence) security
needs)
Self-Determination Theory:.(Deci & Ryan, 1985) it is based on the
relationship between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation and the basic
human need for autonomy. It proposes that a person must be able to
initiate and regulate, through personal choice, the effort expended to
complete a task in order for the task to be intrinsically rewarding.
Intrinsic motivation: the performance of a task for its own sake. It
values rewards gained through the process of task completion,
regardless of any external rewards.
Extrinsic motivation: the pursuit of some reward external to the
completion of the task, such as good grades. It is believed to
undermine intrinsic motivation; individuals will often lose their
intrinsic interest in a task if the task is seen as a means to an end.
Deci identifies autonomy, competence, and relatedness as the three criteria necessary for the
self-determination theory of motivation.

.
Fill the Heart, not just the Money Bag.
 Edward L. Deci

Humanists stress the need for personal growth. They place a great
deal of emphasis on the total person, along with the related news of
personal freedom, choice and self determination.
 G- Social Cognition
Self-efficacy: (Bandura, 1986, 1997) it highlights the belief that a particular
action is possible and that the individual can accomplish it. =>judging one's
own ability and competence.
Self-regulation: (Bandura, 1986, 1997) it highlights the establishment of
goals, the development of a plan to attain those goals, the commitment to
implement that plan, the actual implementation of the plan, and subsequent
actions of reflection and modification or redirection.

H- Transpersonal / Spiritual Theories

Most of the transpersonal or spiritual theories deal with the meaningfulness of our lives or ultimate meanings.
 Theories of Motivation
Summary

Theory Name Theorist/Year Components

A- Behavioral Theories
=> extrinsic motivation
Behaviorists explain motivation in
terms of external stimuli and
reinforcement. The physical
environment and actions of the
teacher are of prime importance.
B- Cognitive Theories
=> intrinsic motivation
Cognitivists explain motivation in
terms of person's active search
for meaning and satisfaction in
life. Thus motivation is internal.
1- Classical conditioning
2- Operant conditioning
3- Observational/social learning
1- Expectancy-value
2- Attribution theory
3- Cognitive dissonance
1-
Stimulus, response, association (invo
1- Pavlov luntary)
2- Skinner
3- Bandura 2- Stimulus, response, reward =
reinforcement
3- Modeling (imitation) + Vicarious
learning
1- Expectancy of success +
Instrumentality (see the connection
between activity & reward) + Value
1- Vroom / 1964 the results.
2- Heider, 1958 / Weiner, 1974 2- Attribute success/failure to factors
3- Festinger / 1957 that are: internal/external/under
control/out of control
3- Act to resolve conflict or
discrepancies.

C- Cognitive Developmental 1- Stages of cognitive development. 1- Piaget / 1972, 1990

Theories 2- Zone of proximal development 2- Vygotsky / 1978

1- Need for achievement

2- Fear of failure
3- Fear of success
D- Achievement Motivation 4- Goal theory: 1- 2- 3- Atkinson & Raynor / 1974
Theories  Mastery goals 4- Locke & Latham / 1994
 Performance goals
 Social goals

1- Life & Death 1- Freud / 1990

2- Social/interpersonal relationships 2- Erikson, 1993 / Sullivan, 1968
E- Psychoanalytic
3- Power 3- Adler / 1989
4- Search for soul 4- Jung / 1953, 1997

F- Humanistic Theories
Humanists stress the need for
personal growth. They place a
great deal of emphasis on the
total person, along with the
related news of personal
freedom, choice and self-
determination.
G- Social Cognition
1- Self-actualization, esteem,
belongingness, safety, physiological.
We are not motivated by any higher-
level needs until our lower-level
ones
have been satisfied.
1- Hierarchy of Needs 2- Growth, relatedness, existence
1- Maslow / 1954
2- Hierarchy of Motivational Needs needs.
2- Alderfer, 1972
Alderfer showed how people regress
3- Deci & Ryan, 1985
3- Self-determination if their higher order needs are not
met.
3- Intrinsic Vs. Extrinsic
motivation- A person must be able
to initiate and regulate, through
personal choice, the effort expended
to complete a task in order for the
task to be intrinsically rewarding.
1- Judging one's own ability
1- Self-efficacy 2- Establishing goals and
1- 2- Bandura / 1986, 1997
2- Self-regulation developing a plan to attain those
goals.
7- Models of Motivation
A- Gardner & Lambert (1959, 1972): Socio-Educational Model
After conducting a study that lasted more than ten years, they concluded that the
learner's attitude toward the target language and the culture of the target-language-
speaking community play a crucial role in language learning motivation. They
introduced the notions of instrumental and integrative motivation.
In the context of language learning, instrumental motivation refers to the learner's
desire to learn a language for utilitarian purposes (such as school/university
requirement, employment or travel), whereas integrative motivation refers to the
desire to learn a language to integrate successfully into the target language
community.

McDonough (1981)noted that there are two types of integrative motivation:

“Assimilative motivation”, strong motivation to “belong” to the target group (give up
one's own culture to assimilate into the target culture), and “Affiliative motivation”,
weak motivation and a desire for wider social contact with target language speakers.
Researchers challenged the social psychological approach claiming that it does not
include the cognitive aspects of learning motivation (Oxford & Shearin, 1994;
Dornyei, 1994), it is not practical and does not benefit L2 learning since it is too
broad to help L2 educators generate practical guidelines (Dornyei, 1990).
B- Vroom (1964): Expectancy Value Theories: Learners' motivation to acquire
a second language is determined by:
Effort
Valence (perception of degree of attractiveness of goals/ its
value)
Expectancy (perception of the probability of attaining the goals)
Ability (appraisal of their ability to achieve the goals).
Instrumentality (connection of success and reward)

Questions the learner asks him/herself:

Should I expend the energy or not? (effort)
Does the outcome have a value? (valence)
Are my actions likely to lead to success? (expectancy)
Can I reach success? (ability)
Will the outcome yield other positive results? (instrumentality)
C- Schumann (1978, 1986):
Acculturation Model- Schumann examined the effects of personal variables such as
relative status, attitude, integration, amount of time in the culture, size of the learning group, and
cohesiveness of the group on adult language learning.
Schumann suggested three strategies taken by adult learners:
Assimilation: total adoption of the target culture
Rejection of target culture: preservation of the home culture (culture shock)
Acculturation: learning to function in the new culture while maintaining one's own identity
(adaptability).
He suggests that the degree of acculturation determines the level of second language aquisition.
When an individual chooses to acculturate and experiences success, the motivation to learn the L2
increases. (Oxford & Shearin, 1994)
In the EFLunlike the ESL classroom, the situation is slightly different, in that the need for
assimilation or acculturation is practically non-existent, especially at beginning levels and in
languages such as French or German.
.
D- Gardner (1985):.Gardner explored four other motivational orientations:
(a) reason for learning,
(b) desire to attain the learning goal,
(c) positive attitude toward the learning situation, and
(d) effortful behavior.

Gardner (1985) describes core second language learning motivation as a

construct composed of three characteristics:
the attitudes towards learning a language (affect),
the desire to learn the language (want) and
motivational intensity (effort).

According to Gardner, a highly motivated individual will

enjoy learning the language, and
want to learn the language,
strive to learn the language.

"An integratively oriented learner would likely have a stronger desire to learn the
language, have more positive attitudes towards the learning situation, and be
more likely to expend more effort in learning the language (Gardner, 1985).
The Gardnerian theory of SLA motivation is based on the definition of motivation
as "the extent to which the individual works or strives to learn the language
because of a desire to do so and the satisfaction experienced in this activity"
(Gardner, 1985).
E- Deci & Ryan (1985): Self-Determination (autonomy) Theory: it is
based on the relationship between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation
and the basic human need for autonomy. It proposes that a person
must be able to initiate and regulate, through personal choice, the
effort expended to complete a task in order for the task to be
intrinsically rewarding.
Intrinsic motivation: the performance of a task for its own sake.
It values rewards gained through the process of task
completion, regardless of any external rewards.
Extrinsic motivation: the pursuit of some reward external to the
completion of the task, such as good grades. It is believed to
undermine intrinsic motivation; individuals will often lose their
intrinsic interest in a task if the task is seen as a means to an
end.
<=> Extrinsic or Intrinsic Motivation, depending on whether the
stimulus for the behavior originated outside or inside the individual.
F- Dornyei (1990): He postulated a motivational construct consisting of:
an Instrumental Motivational Subsystem
an Integrative Motivational Subsystem
Need for Achievement
Attribution about past failures.
"Instrumental motivation might be more important than integrative motivation for foreign language
learners."
.

G- Crookes & Schmidt (1991): They identified four areas of SL motivation:

the micro level,
the classroom level,
the syllabus level, and
a level involving factors from outside the classroom.

The micro level involves the cognitive processing of L2 input.

At the micro level learner motivation is evidenced by the amount of attention given to the input.
The classroom level includes the techniques and activities employed in the classroom.
The syllabus level refers to the choice of content presented and can influence motivation by the
level of curiosity and interest aroused in the students.
Finally, factors from outside the classroom involve informal interaction in the L2 and long term
factors.
Crookes & Schmidt (1991) also suggested that motivation to learn a language has both internal and
external features:
Structure of Motivation

Internal / Attitudinal factors External / Behavioral factors

1- Interest in L2 (based on attitudes, experience, 1- Decision to choose, pay attention to, and engage in L2
background knowledge) learning.
2- Relevance (perception that personal needs --achievement, 2- Persistence
affiliation, power-- are being met by learning the L2. 3- High activity level
3- Expectancy of success or failure.
4- Outcomes (extrinsic or intrinsic rewards felt by the
learner.)
.

Mentioned in "Tapestry of Language Learning" p. 52

H- Oxford and Shearin (1994): They analyzed a total of 12 motivational theories or
models, including those from socio-psychology, cognitive development, and socio-cultural
psychology, and identified six factors that impact motivation in language learning:

* attitudes (i.e., sentiments toward the learning

community and the target language)

* beliefs about self (i.e., expectancies about one's

attitudes to succeed, self-efficacy, and anxiety)

* goals (perceived clarity and relevance of

learning goals as reasons for learning)

* involvement (i.e., extent to which the learner actively and

consciously participates in the language learning process)

* environmental support (i.e., extent of teacher and peer support, and the integration of cultural
and outside-of-class support into learning experience)

•personal attributes (i.e., aptitude, age, sex, and

previous language learning experience).
 I- Dornyei (1994):.His taxonomy of motivation is comprised of three levels:
the Language Level,
the Learner Level, and
the Learning Situation Level.
.
The Language level is the most general level which focuses on "orientations and
motives related to various aspects of the L2". The motives and orientations at this
level determine the language studied and the most basic learning goals.
integrative motivational subsystem
instrumental motivational subsystem
.
The Learner level involves the influence of individual traits of language learners.
Motivation is influenced at the Learner Level by the learner's
need for achievement
self-confidence (anxiety, perceived L2 competence, attributions, self-
efficacy).
The Learner Level is concerned with internal, affective characteristics of the learner related to
expectancy.
.
Motivation at the Learning Situation Level is influenced by a number of intrinsic
and extrinsic motives that are
course specific (interest, relevance, expectancy, satisfaction),
teacher specific (affiliative motive --please teacher, authority type
--controlling vs. autonomy supporting, modelling, task presentation,
feedback),
group specific (goal-orientedness, reward system, group cohesiveness,
classroom goal structure -- cooperative, competitive, individualistic.
- Wen (1997): He incorporated expectancy-value theories and
identified four motivational factors:
motivation of instrumentality
intrinsic motivation
expected learning strategies and efforts
passivity towards requirements.
K- Dornyei (1998):.He suggests seven main motivational dimensions:

1. the affective/integrative dimension:

integrative motives;
affective motives;
language attitudes;
intrinsic motives/attitudes towards L2
learning/enjoyment/interest;

2. the instrumental/pragmatic dimension;

3. the macro-context-related dimension (multi-cultural/ intergroup /
ethnolinguistic relations);
4. the self-concept-related dimension (generalised/ trait-like personality factors);

self-concept;
confidence/self-efficacy;
anxiety/inhibitions;
success/failure-related (attributional) factor;
expectancy;
need for achievement;

5. the goal-related dimension;

6. the educational context-related dimension (learning/ classroom/ school
environment);
7. the significant others-related dimension (parents, family, friends).
 Theorist/Year
A- Gardner/Lambert (1959/1972)
B- Vroom (1964)
C- Schumann (1978/1986)
D- Gardner (1985)
E- Deci & Ryan (1985)
F- Dornyei (1990)
Model Name
Socio-Educational Model
Expectancy Value Theories:
Acculturation Model
(for adults)
Four other motivational orientations
Self-Determination (autonomy) Theory
Motivational construct
Components
Instrumental and Integrative motivation +
Assimilative & Affiliative
Effort
Valence
Expectancy
Ability
Instrumentality
Assimilation: total adoption
Rejection of target culture
Acculturation: learning to function in the
new culture while maintaining one's own
identity.
(a) reason for learning,
(b) desire to attain the learning goal,
(c) positive attitude toward the learning
situation, and
(d) effortful behavior.
Intrinsic & Extrinsic motivation
Instrumental Motivational
Integrative Motivational
Need for Achievement
Attribution about past failures.

G- Crookes & Schmidt (1991)
H- Oxford & Shearin (1994)
I- Dornyei (1994)
J- Wen (1997)
K- Dornyei (1998)
1- Four areas of SL motivation
2- Structure of Motivation
Six factors that impact motivation in
language learning
Taxonomy of motivation
Incorporated expectancy-value theories
Seven main motivational dimensions
1- Micro level,
Classroom level,
Syllabus level, and
Outside the classroom level.
2- Internal factors (interest, relevance,
expectancy, outcomes) & External factors
(decision, persistence, activity level)
Attitudes
Beliefs about self
Goals
Involvement
Environmental support
Personal attributes
Language Level,
Learner Level, and
Learning Situation Level.
Motivation of instrumentality
Intrinsic motivation
Expected learning strategies and efforts
Passivity towards requirements.
1. affective/integrative
2. instrumental/pragmatic
3. macro-context-related
4. self-concept-related
5. goal-related
6. educational context-related
7. significant others-related
 8- Factors that Affect Motivation
.
"Motivation to learn is a competence acquired through general experience but stimulated most
directly through modeling, communication of expectations, and direct instruction or socialization by
significant others (especially parents and teachers)." (Brophy, 1987)
"To a very large degree, students expect to learn if their teachers expect them to learn."
(Stipek, 1988)
Several factors affect students' motivation to learn a second language.
.

Internal Factors
Age cf. Piaget, Maslow, Alderfer, Erikson, Vygotsky, ...
Girls are known to acquire languages faster than boys. Hence,
Gender
their motivation would be higher.
Religion .
Goals Why the learner is studying the language.
Need How much the learner needs to study this language.
Interest (and curiosity) How interested the learner is in learning this language.
Attitude How the learner views this language and its speakers.
Expectancy How much the learner expects to succeed.
Judging own ability and competence.
Self-efficacy / Competence
How capable of success they think they are.
The more academically sophisticated the student's native
language knowledge and abilities, the easier it will be for that
Native language proficiency
student to learn a second language, then the more motivated
s/he will be.
First foreign language .
External Factors
Encouragement
· Expectations
· Feedback
· Scaffolding
Teachers · Task presentation
· Teaching strategies & techniques
· Rewards

 Relevance
Course content & Classroom atmosphere  Attractiveness
 Challenge
 Relaxed, positive atmosphere (low affective filter)

Teenagers tend to be heavily influenced by their peer groups. In

second language learning, peer pressure often undermines the
goals set by parents and teachers. Peer pressure often reduces the
desire of the student to work toward native pronunciation,
because the sounds of the target language may be regarded as
Social Identity
strange. For learners of English as a second language, speaking
(Peer groups)
like a native speaker may unconsciously be regarded as a sign of
no longer belonging to their native-language peer group. In
working with secondary school students, it is important to keep
these peer influences in mind and to foster a positive image for
proficiency in a second language.

Students need to have positive and realistic role models who

Role models demonstrate the value of being proficient in more
than one language.
 Support from home is very important for students' motivation to
learn a second language. If parents value both the native
language and English, communicate with their children in
Home support
whichever language is most comfortable, and show support for
and interest in their children's progress, the children will
definitely be more motivated to learn the second language.

In order for the students to be motivated, the learning

environment needs to be free from axiety; the student should not
Learning environment feel threatened or intimidated. In order for him/her to speak,
s/he needs to feel s/he will be heard and that what s/he is saying
is worth hearing.
9- Instruments for Motivation Assessment:

The "Attitude/Motivation Test Battery (AMTB)- Gardner, 1985

Motivational intensity questionnaire (Gardner, 1985)
To measure intensity of motivation.
The Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (IMMS) (Keller, 1987). It
requires students to rate 36 ARCS-related statements in relation to the
instructional materials they have just used.
Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) (Oxford, 1989)
To measure language learning strategies.
Motivational Delivery Checklist (Keller and Keller, 1989)
A 47-item ARCS-based instrument for evaluating the motivational
characteristics of an instructor's classroom delivery.

Motivational element questionnaire (Schmidt et al., 1996)

To measure intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Motivation Scale (Wen, 1997)
The Website Motivational Analysis Checklist (WebMAC) (Small, 1997)
It is an instrument used for designing and assessing the motivational
quality of World Wide Web sites.
10- Implications & Strategies for L2 Learners' Motivation:
Check Matching Exercise
Teachers:
The greatest motivational act one person can do for another is to listen.--Roy E. Moody
Dornyei (1994) suggests
developing students' self-efficacy,
decreasing their anxiety,
promoting motivation-enhancing attributions,
encouraging students to set attainable sub-goals, and
increasing the attractiveness of course content.

Dornyei (1998:131) suggests

"Ten Commandments for Motivating Language Learners”
Set a personal example with your own behavior.
Create a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere in the classroom.
Present the task properly.
Develop a good relationship with the learners.
Increase the learner's linguistic self-confidence.
Make the language classes interesting.
Promote learner autonomy.
Personalize the learning process.
Increase the learners' goal-orientedness.
Familiarize learners with the target language culture.

Oxford & Shearin (1996:139) also offer Practical Suggestions for Teachers:
1. Teachers can identify why students are studying the new language.
Teachers can find out actual motivations (motivation survey).
 Information on motivation can be passed on to the next class in a portfolio.
Teachers can determine which parts of L2 learning are especially valuable for the students.
2. Teachers can help shape students' beliefs about success and failure in L2 learning.

Students can learn to have realistic but challenging goals.

Teachers can learn to accept diversity in the way students establish and meet their goals, based on
differences in learning styles.

3. Teachers can help students improve motivation by showing that L2 learning can be an exciting
mental challenge, a career enhancer, a vehicle to cultural awareness and friendship and a key to
world peace.
4. Teachers can make the L2 classroom a welcoming, positive place where psychological needs are
met and where language anxiety is kept to a minimum.
5. Teachers can urge students to develop their own intrinsic rewards through positive self-talk,
guided self-evaluation, and mastery of specific goals, rather than comparison with other students.
Teachers can thus promote a sense of greater self-efficacy, increasing motivation to continue
learning the L2.
There are a variety of specific actions that teachers can take to increase motivation on
classroom tasks. In general, these fall into the two categories discussed above: intrinsic
motivation and extrinsic motivation. (Huitt, 2001)

Intrinsic Extrinsic

Explain or show why learning a Provide clear expectations

particular content or skill is important Give corrective feedback
Create and/or maintain curiosity Provide valuable rewards
Provide a variety of activities and Make rewards available
sensory stimulations
Provide games and simulations
Set goals for learning
Relate learning to student needs
Help student develop plan of action

Some teaching strategies that can be used to foster motivation and provide better transfer opportunities of
language skills include the following: (Ngeow, Karen Yeok-Hwa, 1998)
* Encourage learners to take ownership in learning.
Have learners take ownership of the learning assignment by letting them identify and decide for themselves
them to apply what they have learned to attain these learning goals.

* Promote intentional cognition or mindfulness to learning in various contexts.

Learners must be able to practice language in multiple contexts in order to bridge domains and foster active
1990). This will help learners recognize the relevance and transferability of different learning skills or knowle
* Increase authenticity of learning tasks and goals.
Learners should recognize a real need to accomplish learning goals that
are relevant and holistic (rather than task-specific). This prepares them
 for the complexities of real-world tasks that require them to use language skills and
knowledge that have to be continually transferred.

"The best way to create interest in a subject is to render it worth knowing, which means
to make the knowledge gained usable in one's thinking beyond the situation in which
learning has occurred." Bruner (1960, p.31)

Some effective suggestions for improving the affective climate of the SL learning environment:
By Paula Kristmanson
•Encourage and support students at all times but especially when they are
struggling or lacking confidence in certain areas.
•Be energetic and enthusiastic about what you are teaching and on those days
when you do not have that energy, provide activities that require the learners to
put forth the majority of the energy.
•Create an atmosphere in which students are not afraid to make mistakes and are
encouraged to take risks.
•Avoid tension-causing strategies such as surprise quizzes, overly competitive
activities, putting students in front of their peers with no warning or chance for
preparation, and correcting errors in a negative, accusatory fashion.
•Allow students opportunities to talk about themselves, their interests, and their
culture.
•Through preplanned and spontaneous activities, provide opportunities for
interaction in the target language in and outside the language learning
environment.
•Encourage goal setting and a sense of dedication and continuous commitment to
the language learning task through meaningful, relevant and authentic language
learning activities.
•Encourage learners to seek out opportunities in their lives that will help in the
learning of the target language.
•Create, through the presentation of attainable goals and reasonable challenges, a
learning environment with a definite potential for success.
•Recognize the "little successes", improvements and progress of all students both
individually and with the entire group.
 Students:
Walking your talk is a great way to motivate yourself. No one likes to live a lie. Be honest with
yourself, and you will find the motivation to do what you advise others to do.
--Vince Poscente (Invinceable Principles)
YOU CAN BE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BE
by Donna Levine
There is inside you
all of the potential to be whatever
you want to be
all of the energy to do whatever
you want to do.
Imagine yourself as you would like to be,
doing what you want to do,
and each day, take one step
towards your dream.
And though at times it may seem too
difficult to continue,
hold on to your dream.
One morning you will awake to find
that you are the person
you dreamed of
doing what you wanted to do
simply because you had the courage
to believe in your potential
and to hold on to your dream.
http://www.wow4u.com/youcan/index.html
Additional sites:
Keys to Motivation
http://www.motivation123.com/keys.html
Techniques to Help You Get Motivated Today
http://www.motivation123.com/motiv-fortuneteller.html
Get Up and Go - Motivation
http://www.study.com.au/magic/skills/motivate.html

Motivation is the force that causes you to take action - apply the effort & commitment needed to do something.
There are two important parts to motivation:

Who are you doing For myself OR others

it for? (parents or teachers)

What are you doing To gain benefits OR

it for? avoid unpleasantness

People tend to be most successful when working toward positive outcomes on things they find
personally fulfilling. In such cases they will do whatever it takes to get the result that they want. One
of the most important tasks is to decide what you want . . .
If you don't plan where you are heading, you might end up in an occupation or life style that is not
very satisfying.
If you haven't decided yet, identify a range of wishes for the future, and set about exploring the
background of people who have achieved that lifestyle.
Mapping out a plan to achieve your dreams is often called writing up a list of goals. Click here (
http://www.study.com.au/ideal/idpdf/studentp/goal_sample_page.pdf) for an example.
Make a Treasure Map of your Goals:
Make a map of the things that you wish to achieve during your life.
Start by listing the key areas, then adding more detail.
You will notice that each time you return to your map
your vision for the future will become clearer.
Use words, drawings or pictures from magazines.
Start with a picture of yourself.
A good strategy is to make a poster size collage for your
bedroom wall to help you focus on your goals each day.)
Whatever you call your preferred future direction, write it down, draw
it, paint it, make a collage of your direction and work toward it.
If you can find something better, simply adjust you goals and
direction.
Remember to link your goals to your school work.
To create greater motivation for your school work take time to find as
many positive connections between the subjects you are doing and
possible benefits for achieving your goals.
 What is motivation?
http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/motivation/
Motivation is a desire to achieve a goal, combined with the energy to work
towards that goal. Students who are motivated have a desire to undertake
their study and complete the requirements of their course.
Are you a motivated student?
Being a motivated student doesn’t mean you are always excited or fully
committed to your study, but it does mean you will complete the tasks set for
you even when assignments or practicals are difficult, or seem uninteresting.

What is 'loss of motivation'?

You might experience loss of motivation as a reluctance to undertake an
assignment or project, or attend a lecture or tutorial. As a result of loss of
motivation you may be thinking about withdrawing from a subject, or taking
leave from university for a semester, for a year, or ‘forever’.
You may experience loss of motivation as if it were a lost object or a lost
friend. You might feel:
anxious
confused
frustrated
angry
uncertain
depressed
 How can motivation ‘be lost’?
The most common reasons for loss of motivation are:
a change
accumulated changes
a negative experience
several negative experiences
Specific contributing factors might be:
a low mark or a series of low marks
getting behind on a program of study
responsibilities, other than study, taking priority
feeling isolated
study becoming irrelevant to short term or long term goals
a mismatch between the knowledge, beliefs or interests which a
student has and the ideas with which they are coming in contact
the difficulty of subject material
If you have experienced any of the above factors how have they
affected you?
 Searching for motivation

Just as you can ‘lose’ motivation, you can also ‘find’

motivation.
The connecting link between losing motivation and finding it,
is the search. The search will involve some focusing on how
important the goal is that you are seeking, and some change
to your behavior. It is likely to involve a number of steps.

Give yourself some quality time to work through the steps in this program.

Eight step plan to help you search for, and find motivation. The eight step plan for finding motivation to
study can be shown as:
Step 1 Give yourself time
Step 2 Work with all of you
Step 3 Focus on goals
Step 4 Make study a priority
Step 5 Feel good about yourself
Step 6 Take care of your health
Step 7 Visualization
Step 8 Build on your knowledge
 1- Give yourself time
You probably have not lost motivation overnight. You will need to give yourself
time to find it again. Lost objects are most easily found when you:
· are calm
· have some time to search
· are able to concentrate on one thing at a time
How can you begin to relax, give yourself time and concentrate on one thing at a
time?

2- Work with the whole you

Keep in mind that loss of motivation is an experience which can affect your
thoughts, your feelings and your body.
· You might be feeling anxious or guilty.
· You might be thinking that you will never be able to complete your work on
time.
· You might be finding it difficult to get your body physically moving in the
morning.
Ask yourself the following questions, and list your answers in a copy of the Table
"How am I?"
· What am I feeling?
· What am I thinking?
· What is my physical state of health?
· What are my goals about how I want my feelings, thoughts and health to be ?
3- Focus on goals
You need to know your
short term goals
long term goals and
which goals have priority.
You may have many goals and aim to achieve many of them. You may, however, have only
sufficient time and energy to work towards achieving one or two of these goals. So deciding on
what goals are most important to you is an important step in becoming motivated about your
study.

Use the "My Goals" table to answer the following questions

What are my goals for this week?

What are my goals for this year ?
What are my goals for the next four years?
Which of these goals are achievable?
Which of these goals are most important to me?

When you have completed the "My Goals" table ask you self the question:
Where does study rate on my list of important goals?
 If
· study has been omitted from your list of goals or
· is a low priority or
· is not achievable,
then you are experiencing loss of motivation to study.
There may be many aspects of your life that are important to you other than study. You
may, for example,
· have family commitments,
· want to have paid employment,
· you may want to travel overseas.
Any of these may be more important goals for you than study.
If you have a large number of goals, or study is a low priority for you, you may choose
to
· make an appointment with a counselor,
· talk with a friend or
· see a teacher
about what is happening for you in relation to study and how you can decide which
goals to make priorities.

Next Step:
You can either
· talk with a friend about your priorities or,
· make an appointment to see a teacher or
· make an appointment to see a counselor or
4- Make study a priority
If in Step 3 you discovered that study is a priority for you right now, you will need to get yourself going.

Use the Make study a priority questionnaire to work out

your study commitments
a pattern for studying and
how to incorporate rewards

When you have answered the questionnaire you will have completed a study plan for yourself
which includes goals, time management and self rewards. With a study plan you will be able to
undertake study and will be well on your way in your search for motivation.
You might also like to search out how to:
 manage your time and study workload
 avoid procrastination
5- Feel good about yourself
Feeling good about yourself and recognizing your achievements may be a key factor in helping you find
motivation. When we have a sense of well being and self esteem we can tackle difficult or uninteresting tasks with
a positive outlook.

Use the "Feeling good about yourself" questionnaire to discover positive attributes about yourself and
how to use them. You might find collecting positive attributes about yourself a difficult task. You could
ask a close friend or a family member about positive aspects they recognize in you.

6- Take care of your health

Physical well being is also an important part of finding motivation. Studying is demanding physically as
well as mentally and emotionally. Because studying requires so much sitting, reading and computer
work it is important that you include exercise and healthy eating in your life.

Use the "How healthy am I?" questionnaire to assess your level of health.

Remember
Changing eating and exercise patterns is not easy.
Some experts say that small consistent changes are more effective than extreme changes to lifestyles.
Different ways of eating and different ways of including exercise seem to suit different people at different
times, eg. you might find that a short burst of regular exercise in the morning by yourself suits you; you
might find that you look forward to a weekly game of netball, basketball or badminton in the evening; or you
might find that a yoga or tai-chi class suits you
You can experiment with what suits you best.
7- Visualization: Encouraging your mind to work for you
You might find that visualizing a situation, and a context in which you have successfully achieved your
goals, is an effective motivational force. You can visualize yourself studying at your desk at home, working
through your study program easily and efficiently and then seeing
 yourself completing your work and handing it up.

You can use the Visualization exercise for students to begin.

If you can picture positive situations in your head then you have an image, or a visualization, which you can use daily
and successful. You might want to learn more about meditation which includes practicing visualization.
8- Build on your knowledge
You have now undertaken seven steps to help you in your search for motivation. Step 2 included the examination of
you in monitoring how you are, and using what you have discovered to help you in your search for motivation. You w
to discover how undertaking the seven steps has helped you in your search for motivation.

At weekly intervals, you can use the Keeping up the search for motivation checklist The checklist will help you
knowledge about yourself in searching for, and maintaining, your motivation to study.
http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/motivation/