On Motivation In EFL Study From A Social Constructivist Perspective

As an important factor, motivation influences the process of second language acquisition. Linguists have already paid attention to this important factor in the second language acquisition. Therefore, we can find different introductions, classifications, and even the application of such theories. Included in this thesis are six chapters as follows. Chapter one opens with a concise introduction of this thesis. In chapter two, a historical overview of motivation is made. Thus, the conceptions and components of motivation can be found. No matter how complex and diverse the conceptions of motivation are, the core of motivation can be generalized as arousal, direction and persistence. Furthermore, the components of motivation are divided into three parts ¨C the biological components, the learned components and the cognitive components ¨C according to different orientations of its study. Besides the historical overview, the perspectives of motivation and the application of psychology in education can also be found. In the following chapter three, the social constructivist model postulated by Marion Williams & Robert L. Burden is emphasized. Also in chapter three the application of the social constructivist model in EFL teaching-learning process, especially its role in stimulating EFL learners?ˉmotivation is introduced. In order to have a clear understanding of the social constructivist model, a brief introduction of constructivism is indispensable. The focus on learners and the introduction of motivation based on the social constructivist model can provide us a comparatively sound system,...