230588 Language Learning Motivation and Individual Learner Differences (S) (SoSe 2007)

This course will explore research on motivation in foreign language learning. Special emphasis will be placed on individual differences among learners and 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. Some 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.

Two students will be expected to briefly present a topic from the course plan each week and provide a handout to be placed on the web-page. Students will also be asked to keep their own personal course diary. For details of assessment please see my web-page.

Students will need to purchase the course book:

Z. Dörnyei. Motivational Strategies in the Language Classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2001. ISBN: 0 521 79377 7.