A retrospective review of motivation in language learning and teaching shows that motivation is a complex phenomenon, which includes many components: the individual's drive, need for achievement and success, curiosity and desire for stimulation and new experience, communicative need, attitudes toward the second language community and teachers, sell-image and so on. All these factors play a key role in every kind of learning situation. One should pay great attention to the inspiration of motivation in language study no matter if he is a teacher or a student.