The article focuses on the fundamental problem of motivation among students of economics learning general and business English as a foreign language. The results of the anonymous survey conducted among the first, second and third-year students ranging from elementary to upper-intermediate level are analyzed and summarized. The article is aimed at considering the key motivating factors (both intrinsic and extrinsic) as well as demotivating ones with particular emphasis on a teacher’s role in boosting students’ motivation and keeping it high. The article is also concerned with the use of effective teaching methods such as role play in language learning, which must be professionally-oriented and could contribute to enhancing motivation. Different points of view of Russian and foreign teachers and psychologists on the problem of motivation are presented. The practical value of the article is that it gives professional advice on the solution to the problem facing foreign language teachers. Therefore, it may be of interest for school and university teachers.