230594 Language Learning Motivation and Individual Learner Differences (S) (SoSe 2009)

This course will explore theories of motivation which are relevant to foreign language learning. Attention will be drawn to individual variation among learners concerning motivation and the factors involved. Relevant psychological and attitudinal differences among learners will be considered.

Special emphasis will be placed on the extent to which learner motivation can be influenced by the teacher. We will take a developmental view of motivation, distinguishing among initial motivation, motivation in the early stages of learning and continuing motivation over a number of years. We will see how teachers can work with learners to ensure that motivation continues over time.

Attention will be given to the phenomenon of anxiety in the language classroom as a demotivating factor, and we will see how the teacher can act to lower anxiety levels. We will look at the special needs of the poorly motivated learner and examine the factors which make for continuing motivation. Finally, we will link language learning motivation to the issue of learner autonomy and self-motivation.

The course will be based mainly on Zoltán Dörnyei's book Motivational Strategies in the Language Classroom (2001), which students can choose to purchase, however, it is not mandatory for the course.

Each student will be required to teach one activity to the class in a team-teaching setting during the second half of the term.