Motivation is defined as the willingness of a person to do a particular thing or learn a particular set of information. Motivation should not be confused with interest. Motivation comes in two forms: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation comes from inside the learner or actor and has personal value or meaning, independent of reward, to the student. Intrinsic motivation is more applicable to adult learners than extrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, comes from sources outside the language learner.
According to Ferris State University educators, extrinsic motivation may be best used in situations where the teacher has full class attention or complete control over the classroom. (See Reference 1.) Language teachers could give extra credit for class participation during lecture, for example, extrinsically motivating the students to speak in front of their peers, for which the students may not be intrinsically motivated. Keep in mind that students of language may be motivated for a number of reasons at the same time on different levels.
Examples of extrinsic motivation can be found in everyday life. Consumers, for example, are extrinsically motivated to buy certain products because they are extrinsically motivated by incentives or consumer rewards. Children are encouraged to do their chores with extrinsic motivation from their parents in the form of allowances. Extrinsic motivation can be used in the language classroom as a way of pushing students beyond their current abilities. Rewards could include optional assignments that add to grade averages involving vocabulary not covered in the class. Give stickers for good performance. Reward students who have a natural interest in the subject of language by giving them more feedback.