Exploring Language Learning Motivation among Primary EFL Learners

Bibliographic Data

ID21805652
AuthorsMatthew P Wallace (0000-0002-3509-2983, University of Macau), Emily In Leng Leong (University of Macau)
Year2020
Volume11
Issue2
Pages221
Publication date2020-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Language Teaching and Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1798-4769 • E-ISSN: 2053-0684
PublisherAcademy Publication (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.17507/jltr.1102.10
OpenAlexW3006867451
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited7

The present study examined factors contributing to motivation of young EFL learners. Specifically, it explored learners’ attitudes and purposes for studying English, and how their perceptions of social support (teacher, family, peers) and that of the formal learning environment (learning tasks and class activities) varied at different levels of motivation. In total, 23 grade six students who studied at a Macau primary school completed a 10-item open-ended questionnaire. Findings revealed that most of the participants were highly motivated and learned English for both instrumental (e.g., for work and travel) and integrative (e.g., wanting to integrate within the target language culture) reasons. Most respondents reported that they viewed their teachers positively, which may explain why most of them also had a positive view of studying English despite indicating that their family expected them to get high grades on exams, and that most of their classmates perceived studying English negatively. Unsurprisingly, participants also reported that games and songs were their favored activities because they increased their intrinsic motivation to learn. The results of this study suggest that young learner motivation may be largely influenced by the learning environment (as opposed to family or peer social relationships), notably the positive relationship with the teacher and the types of learning activities employed to achieve learning aims

Developmental psychology · English language · Language acquisition · Learning environment · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Perception · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods · Psychology · Second Language Learning and Teaching · Social Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access