关于动机与第二语言习得的关系,国内外的许多的语言学家和学者以及教师都对其进行过探讨。研究表明,学生的学习动机在外语学习中占了很重要的地位。本文主要是从动机的定义和分类出发,探讨动机的本质,特别是内在动机在外语教学中的重要作用。外语教学的关键就是使学生的内在动机发挥到最佳,使其最大程度地促进外语学习。 With regard to the relationship between motivation and second language acquisition, many linguists and scholars and teachers at home and abroad have discussed it. Research shows that students’ motivation for learning occupies a very important position in foreign language learning. This article mainly starts from the definition and classification of motivation, discusses the essence of motivation, especially the important role of intrinsic motivation in foreign language teaching. The key to foreign language teaching is to maximize the students’ intrinsic motivation so that they can maximally promote foreign language learning.