This paper explores the importance of motivation in second language learning context. In my paper I am going to present the definitions and distinctions of motivation together with the description of the general framework of motivation. Moreover, in the second part of my paper I am going to deal with the complex issue of teacher motivation and its influence on student motivation by examining the teacher-specific motivational components. My aim with this paper is to highlight the complex role motivation has in second language learning and to examine the effects of teacher motivation on students’ second language learning motivation and performance.