Motivations for Second Language Learning: Implications for English Teaching in Chinese Universities

Abstract

Language learning motivation has constantly been a heated topic in applied linguistics. While there is no agreement on its definition, self-determination theory and goal theories are leading theoretical foundations for studies in this field. Goals of language learning, according to the time demanded to realise them, can be classified into short-term goals and long-term goals. The former include career, education, entertainment and travel; whereas the latter refers to understanding the language, culture and people speaking the language. In view of the specific features of Chinese foreign language teaching, Chinese university students ought to fulfill their second language learning goals through improving their competence from three aspects, namely linguistic, communicative and intercultural.