Discussion: Motivation

• Harmer (p. 3) and Brown (p. 38) have different definitions of the meaning of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. What does each of them mean by these terms?
• Give at least three examples of extrinsic motivation. Of intrinsic motivation.
• Brown suggests that intrinsic motivation is more powerful than extrinsic motivation. How might factors of extrinsic motivation be stronger in different cultural settings?
• What are some of the potential differences in motivation between the following groups of learners? Children. Adolescents. Adult beginners. Adult advanced students.
• How might the physical conditions in the classroom affect students motivation? What can you do to improve the atmosphere of a classroom?
• What is the optimum level of challenge for most students? How does this relate to motivation?
• Harmer (p. 6) presents a list of desirable qualities in an ESL teacher. What would you put on your own top ten list of desirable qualities in a teacher? Try to add at least three qualities that Harmer does not include.
  

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