An ELT Glossary : Intrinsic Motivation

• Definition : Motivation in learning that comes from interest in the topic for its own sake, or a sense of empowerment in being able to do something. Doing something for the sake of doing it without thought of rewards such as praise, grades, or money.

• Example : Someone who learns as many  languages as possible for pleasure and as a hobby, without having any specific or apparent need to speak them, is intrinsically motivated.

• Other types of motivation include extrinsic motivation, instrumental motivation and integrative motivation.