A. I'm learning English to get a better job.

I don't enjoy it very much but I know that I will need to be able to speak English if I want to
start a new career as a journalist.
Learning English is sometimes boring but I keep at it because I really want a new career.

B. I love learning English! It's fun to speak another language properly and I can read novels
and watch films in English, too, and that's great.
I really enjoy all my lessons and work hard at learning vocabulary and grammar.
The more I learn, the happier I am.

C. I'm learning English because I have just moved to America and I want to make friends and
be part of the society.
I need to work here and I have to fit in.
I like learning the language because it helps me understand the culture and I can have
conversations with neighbours and make friends.

D. I'm learning English because my commanding officer told me to.

I don't really know why but I have to do what I am told because I'm in the air force.
There's a lot of pressure on me so I try to work as hard as I can.

Instrumental motivation
The motivation comes from wanting to learn English to do something else, in the same way
that people learn to use a computer in order to send emails, make a website or write
documents.

Intrinsic motivation
comes from inside the learner.
Some people enjoy the process of acquiring and using a new language.

Extrinsic motivation
comes from outside the learner and may be the promise of something good (more money, a
better position etc.) or the threat of something bad (losing your job, being demoted etc.).

Integrative motivation
The motivation to learn a language comes from wanting to be part of a society.
It may apply to people who are moving into an English-speaking society, even if they are only
staying a short time.

Task 2: Read these statements from learners and decide what sort of motivations they
have. When you have an answer, click for some comments.
 1. I need to learn English because my company wants me to represent them in South
Africa and I'll have to live there as well as do business with people. Of course, it
means a promotion for me.
2. I am studying to take Cambridge First Certificate because my father has said it will
help me in future when I need to get a job. He's paying after all!
3. If I don't learn better English I'm likely to lose my job in the next round of cuts. But
if I do learn English, I may be able to leave and do something more interesting.
4. I enjoy learning the language and it gives me access to American culture and books
in English. It'll also be useful in my career.

Learner 1 has a mix of integrative and instrumental motivation (fitting into South African
society and being promoted in his company). Clearly the pressure to do business in South
Africa is also extrinsic to this learner.
Learner 2 has a good deal of extrinsic motivation because the pressure to succeed comes
from her family. There's also some instrumental motivation at work because she is aware
that passing an examination will make her more employable.
Learner 3 has a lot extrinsic motivation because he needs to keep his job and the pressure is
external but he also knows that he may get a better job if he learns English so he has some
instrumental motivation as well.
Learner 4 has a mix of intrinsic motivation (she enjoys learning the language) with elements
of instrumental motivation concerning career prospects. There is also more than a hint of
integrative motivation because she wants to access the culture of an English-speaking
society.