The Influence of Motivation in the Foreign Language Learning Process

Abstract

Foreign Language Learning is currently becoming one of the most relevant issues to take into account in education. The globalisation process and its worldwide movement towards economy, finance, trade, immigration and communication among others, make inevitable to get into contact and communicate with people from different countries and cultures. This situation requires Foreign Language Learning skills, knowledge and motivation. Motivation plays an important role in the Foreign Language Learning process because it provides the first push to initiate a successful language learning process. This project is focused on some motivational strategies to maximize students’ language learning skills. The implementation of communicative, group and participative activities will help students to be motivated in the language classroom. The article analyses a group of students belonging to an Intermediate Level Trade Course who were exposed to a teaching unit that combined both traditional methods (course book) and modern methods. Firstly, I will introduce the current situation in secondary education and the role of motivation to achieve success in the Foreign Language classroom. Later, I will explain the practical application in an Intermediate Level Trade Course at a high school. I will also comment on the methodology and the activities carried out with the above mentioned group in order to enhance motivation. I will finally conclude about the effectiveness of creating a lesson plan and the use of relevant methodologies to enhance motivation in the Foreign Language classroom.