MOTIVATION AS A KEY COMPONENT OF LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AT A TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY (FROM THE TEACHING EXPERIENCE OF GERMAN LANGUAGE)

Abstract

This article deals with the growing role of foreign languages in modern society, about the urgent problem of motivation in the study of foreign languages on the example of the German language at a technical university, about ways to increase it. Various approaches to the study of the problem of motivation by scientists from different countries are described. The main factors contributing to the formation of motivation for learning a foreign language (German) are analysed. The authors of the article consider motivation in learning a foreign language as an internal driving force that makes a student spend time and effort in learning a foreign language. Knowledge of foreign languages is becoming one of the main factors of both socio-economic and general cultural progress of society. The individualization of the learning process is shown to a high degree, when a large number of internal and external variables that interact with each other play a huge role in the study of a foreign language. A very important factor in this context is student motivation, as not only an incentive to learn a language, but also as a lever that promotes learning. The types of motivations, the difference between the concepts of “motivation” and “motive” are described in details. The motive is shown as a subjective psychological reality. Motivation depends on human relationships. On the one hand, this is intrinsic motivation, i.e. a set of internal, psychological factors that determine and direct human behaviour. On the other hand, motivation can depend on human relationships, that is, be external. The authors of the article show that motivation is the main component of learning activities. It is intrinsic motivation that leads to the best results in studies, but it is necessary to develop both types of motivations in students. The study substantiates the conclusion that the motivation of students to learn a foreign language (German) is absolutely necessary to develop throughout the entire learning process. The article is of particular interest foreign language teachers, linguists.