Does students' motivation differ depending on whether English is their first or second foreign language?

Abstract

This paper is aimed at exploring the importance of foreign language learning motivation among secondary school students. In the first half of the thesis, relevant literature is presented which provides the basis for the study including the clarification of the definition of motivation, the main theories and classifications of different types of motivation, the educational shift which led researchers' attention to the investigation of the classroom setting. Moreover, Dörnyei's model of foreign language learning motivation is also examined in more detail. The second main part of the thesis includes the analysis of a study carried out among secondary school students who learn both English and German. The focus of the study is on the effects of learning English as either the first or the second foreign language on students' motivation.