1. Self-motivation:

The teaching methodology widely spread in state schools in Syria is largely the teacher centered Grammar Translation Method where the main objective of the learning process is to learn a language "through detailed analysis of its grammar rules, followed by application of this knowledge to the task of translating sentences and texts into and out of the target language. It hence views language learning as consisting of little more than memorizing rules and facts in order to understand and manipulate the morphology and syntax of the foreign language" (Richards, Jack C.; Rodgers, Theodore S. 2001). In this case "Reading and writing are the major focus; little or no systematic attention is paid to speaking or listening".

As an escape from this traditional method used in my school since I first started learning English, I've always wanted to enhance my speaking, listening, and communicative skills in English by watching videos, listening to music, and using English outside classroom as much as I could with my friends and family. My classroom environment largely motivated me to take responsibility of my own learning process outside classroom especially with the widespread of all the websites that can offer many videos and audio tracks that the learners can choose from to develop his listening and reading abilities.

One of the websites that I used to log in is http://www.storynory.com/ where I could choose the kind of story that suits my own level of learning and can develop my lexicon as well as my listening abilities as each story is accompanied by an audio track. I even used to read some lyrics and memorize a lot of songs and watch lots of movies to have a clear idea about the sociocultural use¹ of the language as well as improve my listening abilities. I also joined few conversation clubs within Linguaphone Institute or previously in Innovation Center in my city Jableh where I could use the language and evaluate my learning process. It was just as David Little named it "a capacity for detachment, critical reflection, decision-making, and independent action' (Little, 1991: 4) Indeed, self-motivation means ‘providing an impetus to keep going by reminding oneself of reasons for or advantages of continuing with the course’ (White, 2003:117).

Many kind of hurdles could have stopped me at a certain point in my learning process as the nonexistence of a guide while doing certain tasks or even not finding things that don't really conform to my level of learning since the materials found on the internet are unorganized raw materials designed to meet various levels and kinds of learning but it is the intrinsic motivation that kept me moving on in my learning process. Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan (1985) wrote about self-determination and motivation and suggested that it is "an issue of choice and therefore necessitates a theory built on concepts such as volition, intentionality, or will" (p:36) However, "if people feel pressured to attain certain outcomes or if they feel pressured to exercise control, they are not self-determined" (p:37-38) Durning my learning process, I was self-fulfilled with all the semantical and syntactical features I could learn. I enjoyed the process of choosing what to learn and the method to learn it.