Stimulating English Learners' Motivation

Secondary Vocational and Technical Education is one of the important aspects in modern education. The increasing economic and intercultural activities require the students with higher capacity to master English and focus on the core competencies to fit the local labor market needs. English learning is a very complicated process, not only is it effected by the characteristics of the language itself, but also by some other factors, among which learning motivation is the most worth attention.Cognitive psychologists divide motivation into intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is caused by inner need. It derives from cognitive need--the desire to learn .It is the most important and steadiest part to make people succeed. It originates curiosity and the tendency of willing to study, operate, understand and cope with environment. Extrinsic motivation is caused by external inducement. It reflects the desire and needs of obtaining relevant position in society and others'evaluation on his ability. It derives from the needs of obtaining respect and self-improvement. Compared with the latter, intrinsic motivation is long-lasting and steady, but extrinsic motivation is short-term and unsteady .As a learning power, learning motivation can directly promote people to learn by strengthening learners'initiative, concentrating on learning. So we must stimulate students'learning motivation effectively in order to make students keep long-term motivating and get a satisfying result.Research shows some students in our school lack of motivation; most of the students have extrinsic motivation; only a few students have intrinsic motivation. Students'achievements and their learning efficacy are mostly related to the type of motivation and whether they have motivation or not.Based on research, the thesis analyzes the factors influencing the learning motivation in Anshan Broadcasting Television School. The following aspects should be taken into account in order to stimulate the students'intrinsic motivation in learning English. That is, re-establishment of the subject in teaching; structuring the course to motivate students; supplying information feedback to enhance intrinsic motivation; understanding the students; emotional teaching; creating a positive learning environment and self-determination.