Different types of motivation and their importance in language learning

In the diploma work I examined the two main types, extrinsic and intrinsic motivation and the part they play in motivating two different groups of students — adult and young learners of English. Extrinsic motivation is that which derives from the influence of some kind of external incentive, when the student has a clearly definable goal what he or she learns the language for. That is the reason why in case of adult learners extrinsic motivation showed a much greater influence on language learning. The other type, intrinsic motivation is the urge to engage in the learning activity for its own sake. I found this type of motivation the almost exclusive drive of young learners. On the basis of all these results it can be concluded that extrinsic motivation is the characteristic feature of adult learners, while young learners are dominantly intrinsically motivated.