Motivational orientations and their effect on English Language Learning: A Study in EFL Saudi Context

Ahmad Mousa B. Altasan^1,

¹ArRass College of Technology, ArRass, Saudi Arabia

Cite this paper:
Ahmad Mousa B. Altasan. Motivational orientations and their effect on English Language Learning: A Study in EFL Saudi Context. American Journal of Educational Research. 2016; 4(16):1131-1137. doi: 10.12691/education-4-16-2

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to explore integrative and instrumental orientations and their influence on foreign/second language acquisition. Then, it investigates Saudi students' motivation to learn English and the correlations between their motivational outlooks and their English achievement scores. A modified 18-item survey, adopted and modified from the Attitude/Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) developed by R. C. Gardner (1985), was administered to two groups of non-English major EFL students at two technical colleges from two different cities, Dammam and ArRass, in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected simultaneously and were subjected to some basic statistical analyses, such as "mean" and "standard deviation". Overall, findings indicated that although Dammam group obtained higher English achievement scores, they were similar to ArRass group in respect of their motivational outlooks, which means that achievement scores were affected by other variables. In this study, the attitude toward English variable was examined and the results showed significant difference between the two groups.

Keywords:
attitudes motivation integrative instrumental orientation EFL ESL achievement

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Belmechri, F., & Hummel, K. (1998). Orientations and motivation in the acquisition of English as a second language among high school students in Quebec City. Language Learning, 48(2), 219-244.
[2]	Choorsi, C., and Intharaksa, U. (2011). The relationship between motivation and students’ English learning achievement: a study of the second – year vocational certificate level hatyai technical college students.
[3]	Ditual, R.C. (2012). The motivation for and attitude towards learning English. Asian EFL Journal, 63.
[4]	Dörnyei, Z. (1990). Conceptualizing motivation in foreign-language learning. Language Learning, 40(1), 45-78.
[5]	Dörynei, Z. (1994). Motivation and motivating in the foreign language classroom. Modern Language Journal, 78, 273-284.
[6]	Gardner, R. C., & Lambert, W. E. (1972). Attitudes and motivation in second-language learning. Rowley, Massachusetts: Newbury House Publishers.
[7]	Gardner, R. C. (1985). Social psychology and second language learning: The role of attitudes and motivation. London: Edward Arnold.
[8]	Gardner, R. C., & MacIntyre, P. D. (1991). An instrumental motivation in language study: Who says it isn't effective?: Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 13, 57-72.
[9]	Gonzales, R. (2010). Motivational orientation in foreign language learning: The case of Filipino foreign language learners. TESOL Journal, 3(1), 3-28. Retrieved from http://www.tesoljournal.com.
[10]	Harmer, J. (1988). The practice of English language teaching. (4th ed.). UK: Pearson Longman.
[11]	Kato, F., Yasumoto, S., & Aacken, S. (2007). A Comparative Study: Motivation Of Learners Of Japanese. Electronic Journal Of Foreign Language Teaching, 4(1), 41-57.
[12]	Kurum, E. (2011). The Effect Of Motivational Factors On The Foreign Language Success Of Students At The Turkish Military Academy. Novitas-ROYAL (Research On Youth And Language), 2011, 5(2), 299-307.
[13]	Larsen-Freeman, D., & Long M. H. (1991). An Introduction To Second Language Acquisition Research. New York: Longman Inc.
[14]	Lukmani, M. Y. (1972). Motivation To Learn And Language Proficiency. Language Learning, 22(2), 261-273.
[15]	Mcdonough, S. H. (1981). Psychology In Foreign Language Teaching. (2nd Ed.). London: Unwin Hyman Ltd.
[16]	Moskovsky Christo Goranov, Alrabai Fakieh Abduh M, (2009). Intrinsic Motivation In Saudi Learners Of English As A Foreign Language. The Open Applied Linguistics Journal, 2, 1-10.
[17]	Oxford, R., & Shearin, J. (1994). Language Learning Motivation: Expanding The Theoretical Framework. The Modern Language Journal, 78, 12-27.
[18]	ÖztÜRk, G., & GÜRbÜZ, N. (2013). Motivational Orientations Of Turkish EFL Students: The Case At A State University. Dil Ve Edebiyat Eğitimi Dergisi, 8, 62-77.
[19]	Rost, M. (2002). Generating Students Motivation. Worldview: The New 4-Level Adult Series From Longman From www.Longman.Com/Worldview.
[20]	Wan-Er, Z. (2008). Motivation And Language Learning In The Context Of China. Sino-US English Teaching, 5(4), 7-11.
[21]	Zanghar, A. (2012). Instrumental And Integrative Motivation Among Undergraduate Libyan Students Of English As A Foreign Language (M.A.). COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY.