| Description |
Language learners come from a variety of backgrounds and have numerous reasons for learning another language-their target language. This paper investigates different types of motivation, and the attitudes of language learners have that encourage them to study a second or foreign language. The purpose of the research is to understand how those factors fit into the existing narrative of internal and external motivation. An online survey about language learners motivations and attitudes towards learning a new language was conducted with 54 participants. Through analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, five main themes or sources of motivation emerged: (a) work and school requirements, (b) culture and media, (c) relationships and community, (d) self-improvement, and (e) learning environments. Each of these were themes were contextualized and discussed in terms of external or internal sources. As multilingualism is becoming more valuable in the world, it is important for individuals to find the source of motivation that works best for them. |
