Student Attitudes and Motivation in Learning English
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Published:
May 14, 2019
Keywords:
Attitude, motivation, learning English
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Abstract
This study aimed to find the levels of student attitudes and motivation in learning English, as well as the correlation between their attitude and motivation to learn English. This study used descriptive and correlational approaches. The researchers adapted questionnaires available from the literature as the survey instrument. This study involved 118 students enrolled in Grade 10 of a public high school in Manado, Indonesia, during the second semester of the 2016/2017 school year. The results showed that the level of student attitudes toward learning English was moderate (M = 2.93) and the level of their motivation in learning English was high (M = 4.01). Lastly, this study found that there was no significant correlation between students’ attitude and their motivation in learning English (p = 0.105). Thus, it was concluded that the students’ attitude in learning English was neutral, and that they were highly motivated in learning English. It may also be assumed that other factors are significantly related to students’ motivation in learning English.
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Research Articles
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References
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Anjomshoa, L., & Sadighi, F. (2015). The importance of motivation in second language acquisition. International Journal on Studies in English Language and Literature, 3(2), 126-137. Retrieved from https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijsell/v3-i2/12.pdf
Choosri, C., & Intharaksa, U. (2011). Relationship between motivation and students’ English learning achievement: A study of the second – year vocational certificate level Hatyai Technical College students. The 3rd International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences, 1-15. Retrieved from http://tar.thailis.or.th/bitstream/123456789/665/1/006.pdf
Dailey, A. (2009). Key motivational factors and how teachers can encourage motivation in their students: Module 2 assessment task. Retrieved from http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/collegeartslaw/ cels/essays/secondlanguage/DailySLAKeyMotivational FactorsandHowTeachers.pdf
Fakeye, D. (2010). Students’ personal variables as correlates of academic achievement in English as a second language in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences, 22(3), 205-211. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/c2e4/45bb55c12365c8078899ccd41f7da09f8a65.pdf
Farooq, M., & Shah, S. (2008). Students’ attitude towards mathematics. Pakistan Economic and Social Review, 46(1), 75-83. Retrieved from http://pu.edu.pk/ images/journal/pesr/PDFFILES/5%20FAROOQ%20 Students%20Attitude.pdf
Fatiha, M., Sliman, B., Mustapha, B., & Yahia, M. (2014). Attitudes and motivations in learning English as a foreign language. International Journal of Arts & Sciences, 7(3), 117-128. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/10848637/ATTITUDES_AND_MOTIVATIONS_IN_LEARNING_ENGLI SH_AS_A_FOREIGN_LANGAUGE
FirdosFrida, M. & Ravindra, K. (2016). Relationship between students’ motivation, attitude and motivational intensity toward English learning. International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 5(2), 27-33. Retrieved from http://www.ijac.org.uk/images/front Images/gallery/Vol._5_No._2/4._27-33.pdf
Gardner, R. (1985). Social psychology and second language learning: The role of attitudes and motivation. London: Edward Arnold. Retrieved from http://publish.uwo.ca/~gardner/docs/SECONDLANGUAGE 1985book.pdf
Gardner, R. C., & Lambert, W. E. (1972). Attitudes and motivation in second-language learning. Rowley, MA: Newbury House.
Ghazali, S. (2008). Learner background and their attitudes towards studying literature. Malaysian Journal of ELT Research, 4, 1-17. Retrieved from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/ download?doi=10.1.1.528. 5706&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Hosseini, S., & Pourmandnia, D. (2013). Language learners’ attitudes and beliefs: Brief review of the related literature and frameworks. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 4(4), 63-74. Retrieved from http://www.ijonte.org/FileUpload/ks63207/File/06a.hosseini.pdf
Karahan, F. (2007). Language attitudes of Turkish students towards the English language and its use in Turkish context. Journal of Arts and Sciences, (7), 73-87. Retrieved from http://jas.cankaya.edu.tr/ gecmisYayinlar/yayinlar/jas7/07-FIRDEVSKARAHAN.pdf
Kitjaroonchai, N. (2012). Motivation toward English language learning of students in secondary and high schools in education service area Office 4, Saraburi Province, Thailand. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 1(1), 22-33. Retrieved from http://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/ pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20130101.14.pdf
Li, P., & Pan, G. (2009). The relationship between motivation and achievement – A survey of the study motivation of English majors in Qingdao Agricultural University. English Language Teaching, 2(1), 123-138. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1082257.pdf
Marzban, H., & Sadighi, F. (2013). A study of the impact of motivation and attitude on speaking in academic contexts: A case of Iranian EFL university students. International Journal of Language Learning and Applied Linguistics World, 3(4), 154-177. Retrieved from http://www.ijllalw.org/finalversion3413.pdf
Mat, S., & Yunus, M. (2014). Attitudes and motivation towards learning English among FELDA School students. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 8(5), 1-8. Retrieved from http://ajbasweb.com/old/ ajbas/2014/Special%202/1-8.pdf
Meng, A. (2010). Positive attitude: A guarantee for success in employment. Asian Social Science, 6(5), 144-146. Retrieved from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download? doi=10.1.1.673.8393&rep=rep1&type =pdf
Ming, T., Ling, T., Jaafar, N. (2011). Attitude and motivation of Malaysian secondary students toward learning English as a second language: A case study. The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies, 17(1), 40-45. Retrieved from http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2047/
Mustafa, H., Rashid, M., Atmowardoyo, A., & Dollah, S. (2015). Students’ attitudinal factors in learning English as a foreign language. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 6(6), 11871194.
Mutai, J. K. (2007). Attitudes towards learning and performance in mathematics among students in selected secondary schools in Bureti district, Kenya. Master’s thesis, Kenyatta University, Bureti District, Kenya. Retrieved from http://irlibrary.ku.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/123456789/609/JACKSON%20KIPRONOH. pdf?sequence=
Nakata, Y. (2010). Perspectives toward a framework for self-regulated language learning. TESL Canada Journal, 27(2), 1-10. Retrieved from http://teslcanadajournal.ca/index. php/tesl/article/viewFile/1047/866
Obeidat, M. (2005). Attitudes and motivation in second language learning. Journal of Faculty of Education, 22(18), 1-17. Retrieved from http://www.cedu.uaeu.ac.ae/en/researchinnovation/journal/pdf/pdf22/ issue22-artical6.pdf
Oroujlou, N., & Vahedi, M. (2011). Motivation, attitude, and language learning. The 2nd International Conference on Education and Educational Psychology, 29, 994-1000. Retrieved from http://ac.els-cdn.com/S1877042811027947/1-s2.0-S1877042811027947main.pdf?_tid=339da7c6-fc90-11e6-9d4600000aab0f01&acdnat=1488160875_fc071c9c1ae01cea1f671d6c7ae46138
Othman, F., & Shuqair, K. (2013). The impact of motivation on English language learning in the Gulf States. International Journal of Higher Education, 2(4), 123-130. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/ fulltext/EJ1067550.pdf
Ozturk, K. (2014). Students’ attitudes and motivation for learning English at Dokuz Eylul University school of foreign languages. Educational Research and Reviews, 9(12), 376-386. Retrieved from http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/ERR/article-full-text-pdf/90FE68345101
Rehman, A., Bilal, H., Sheikh, A., Bibi, N., & Nawaz, A. (2014). The Role of Motivation in Learning English Language for Pakistani Learners. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 4(1), 254-258. Retrieved from http://www.ijhssnet.com/journals/Vol_4_No_1_January_2014/29.pdf
Samadani. H., & Ibnian, S. (2015). The relationship between Saudi EFL students’ attitudes towards learning English and their academic achievement. International Journal of Education and Social Science, 2(1), 92-102. Retrieved from http://www.ijessnet.com/wpcontent/uploads/2015/01/11.pdf
Tu, S., & Zhou, Y. (2015). A study on the relationship between motivation and interpretation competence of English majors. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 6(7), 214221. Retrieved from http://ijbssnet.com/journals/Vol_6_No_7_July_2015/22.pdf
Vaezi, Z. (2008). Language learning motivation among Iranian undergraduate students. World Applied Sciences Journal, 5(1), 54-61. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/eb9e/12ef5e6e82f851db76c29 ad0e6e46563666a.pdf
Walker, J., & Almond, P. (2010). Interpreting statistical findings: A guide for health professionals and students. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill.
Zanghar, A. (2012). Instrumental and integrative motivation among undergraduate Libyan students of English as a foreign language. Master of Art thesis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. Retrieved from https://dspace.library.colostate.edu/ bitstream/handle/10217/75302/Zanghar_colostate_0053N_ 11452.pdf?sequence=1lostate_0053N_11452.pdf?sequence=1
Ajzen, I. (2005). Attitudes, personality and behavior (2nd ed). Maidenhead, Berkshire: Open University Press. Retrieved from https://psicoexperimental.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/ajzeni-2005-attitudes-personalityand-behaviour-2nd-ed-open-university-press.pdf
Anjomshoa, L., & Sadighi, F. (2015). The importance of motivation in second language acquisition. International Journal on Studies in English Language and Literature, 3(2), 126-137. Retrieved from https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijsell/v3-i2/12.pdf
Choosri, C., & Intharaksa, U. (2011). Relationship between motivation and students’ English learning achievement: A study of the second – year vocational certificate level Hatyai Technical College students. The 3rd International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences, 1-15. Retrieved from http://tar.thailis.or.th/bitstream/123456789/665/1/006.pdf
Dailey, A. (2009). Key motivational factors and how teachers can encourage motivation in their students: Module 2 assessment task. Retrieved from http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/collegeartslaw/ cels/essays/secondlanguage/DailySLAKeyMotivational FactorsandHowTeachers.pdf
Fakeye, D. (2010). Students’ personal variables as correlates of academic achievement in English as a second language in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences, 22(3), 205-211. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/c2e4/45bb55c12365c8078899ccd41f7da09f8a65.pdf
Farooq, M., & Shah, S. (2008). Students’ attitude towards mathematics. Pakistan Economic and Social Review, 46(1), 75-83. Retrieved from http://pu.edu.pk/ images/journal/pesr/PDFFILES/5%20FAROOQ%20 Students%20Attitude.pdf
Fatiha, M., Sliman, B., Mustapha, B., & Yahia, M. (2014). Attitudes and motivations in learning English as a foreign language. International Journal of Arts & Sciences, 7(3), 117-128. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/10848637/ATTITUDES_AND_MOTIVATIONS_IN_LEARNING_ENGLI SH_AS_A_FOREIGN_LANGAUGE
FirdosFrida, M. & Ravindra, K. (2016). Relationship between students’ motivation, attitude and motivational intensity toward English learning. International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 5(2), 27-33. Retrieved from http://www.ijac.org.uk/images/front Images/gallery/Vol._5_No._2/4._27-33.pdf
Gardner, R. (1985). Social psychology and second language learning: The role of attitudes and motivation. London: Edward Arnold. Retrieved from http://publish.uwo.ca/~gardner/docs/SECONDLANGUAGE 1985book.pdf
Gardner, R. C., & Lambert, W. E. (1972). Attitudes and motivation in second-language learning. Rowley, MA: Newbury House.
Ghazali, S. (2008). Learner background and their attitudes towards studying literature. Malaysian Journal of ELT Research, 4, 1-17. Retrieved from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/ download?doi=10.1.1.528. 5706&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Hosseini, S., & Pourmandnia, D. (2013). Language learners’ attitudes and beliefs: Brief review of the related literature and frameworks. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 4(4), 63-74. Retrieved from http://www.ijonte.org/FileUpload/ks63207/File/06a.hosseini.pdf
Karahan, F. (2007). Language attitudes of Turkish students towards the English language and its use in Turkish context. Journal of Arts and Sciences, (7), 73-87. Retrieved from http://jas.cankaya.edu.tr/ gecmisYayinlar/yayinlar/jas7/07-FIRDEVSKARAHAN.pdf
Kitjaroonchai, N. (2012). Motivation toward English language learning of students in secondary and high schools in education service area Office 4, Saraburi Province, Thailand. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 1(1), 22-33. Retrieved from http://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/ pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20130101.14.pdf
Li, P., & Pan, G. (2009). The relationship between motivation and achievement – A survey of the study motivation of English majors in Qingdao Agricultural University. English Language Teaching, 2(1), 123-138. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1082257.pdf
Marzban, H., & Sadighi, F. (2013). A study of the impact of motivation and attitude on speaking in academic contexts: A case of Iranian EFL university students. International Journal of Language Learning and Applied Linguistics World, 3(4), 154-177. Retrieved from http://www.ijllalw.org/finalversion3413.pdf
Mat, S., & Yunus, M. (2014). Attitudes and motivation towards learning English among FELDA School students. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 8(5), 1-8. Retrieved from http://ajbasweb.com/old/ ajbas/2014/Special%202/1-8.pdf
Meng, A. (2010). Positive attitude: A guarantee for success in employment. Asian Social Science, 6(5), 144-146. Retrieved from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download? doi=10.1.1.673.8393&rep=rep1&type =pdf
Ming, T., Ling, T., Jaafar, N. (2011). Attitude and motivation of Malaysian secondary students toward learning English as a second language: A case study. The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies, 17(1), 40-45. Retrieved from http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2047/
Mustafa, H., Rashid, M., Atmowardoyo, A., & Dollah, S. (2015). Students’ attitudinal factors in learning English as a foreign language. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 6(6), 11871194.
Mutai, J. K. (2007). Attitudes towards learning and performance in mathematics among students in selected secondary schools in Bureti district, Kenya. Master’s thesis, Kenyatta University, Bureti District, Kenya. Retrieved from http://irlibrary.ku.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/123456789/609/JACKSON%20KIPRONOH. pdf?sequence=
Nakata, Y. (2010). Perspectives toward a framework for self-regulated language learning. TESL Canada Journal, 27(2), 1-10. Retrieved from http://teslcanadajournal.ca/index. php/tesl/article/viewFile/1047/866
Obeidat, M. (2005). Attitudes and motivation in second language learning. Journal of Faculty of Education, 22(18), 1-17. Retrieved from http://www.cedu.uaeu.ac.ae/en/researchinnovation/journal/pdf/pdf22/ issue22-artical6.pdf
Oroujlou, N., & Vahedi, M. (2011). Motivation, attitude, and language learning. The 2nd International Conference on Education and Educational Psychology, 29, 994-1000. Retrieved from http://ac.els-cdn.com/S1877042811027947/1-s2.0-S1877042811027947main.pdf?_tid=339da7c6-fc90-11e6-9d4600000aab0f01&acdnat=1488160875_fc071c9c1ae01cea1f671d6c7ae46138
Othman, F., & Shuqair, K. (2013). The impact of motivation on English language learning in the Gulf States. International Journal of Higher Education, 2(4), 123-130. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/ fulltext/EJ1067550.pdf
Ozturk, K. (2014). Students’ attitudes and motivation for learning English at Dokuz Eylul University school of foreign languages. Educational Research and Reviews, 9(12), 376-386. Retrieved from http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/ERR/article-full-text-pdf/90FE68345101
Rehman, A., Bilal, H., Sheikh, A., Bibi, N., & Nawaz, A. (2014). The Role of Motivation in Learning English Language for Pakistani Learners. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 4(1), 254-258. Retrieved from http://www.ijhssnet.com/journals/Vol_4_No_1_January_2014/29.pdf
Samadani. H., & Ibnian, S. (2015). The relationship between Saudi EFL students’ attitudes towards learning English and their academic achievement. International Journal of Education and Social Science, 2(1), 92-102. Retrieved from http://www.ijessnet.com/wpcontent/uploads/2015/01/11.pdf
Tu, S., & Zhou, Y. (2015). A study on the relationship between motivation and interpretation competence of English majors. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 6(7), 214221. Retrieved from http://ijbssnet.com/journals/Vol_6_No_7_July_2015/22.pdf
Vaezi, Z. (2008). Language learning motivation among Iranian undergraduate students. World Applied Sciences Journal, 5(1), 54-61. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/eb9e/12ef5e6e82f851db76c29 ad0e6e46563666a.pdf
Walker, J., & Almond, P. (2010). Interpreting statistical findings: A guide for health professionals and students. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill.
Zanghar, A. (2012). Instrumental and integrative motivation among undergraduate Libyan students of English as a foreign language. Master of Art thesis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. Retrieved from https://dspace.library.colostate.edu/ bitstream/handle/10217/75302/Zanghar_colostate_0053N_ 11452.pdf?sequence=1lostate_0053N_11452.pdf?sequence=1