India Learners’ Motivation to Learn Linguistics as a Foreign Language

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study designed to explore some of the learner’s individual and interpersonal factors (e.g. challenge, curiosity, control, enjoyment, recognition, etc.) that India learners experience when learning English as a Foreign Language and how learners’ perceptions of these factors influence various aspects of their motivation to learn English language. As part of the study, a 27-item structured survey was administered to a randomly selected sample of 105 India learners from public schools and universities. Data collected through the survey were subjected to some basic statistical analyses, such as “mean” and “standard deviation”. Based on the results from the analysis, a number of generalizations and conclusions are made in relation to how these inherent factors affect India learners’ motivation to learn English as a foreign language. In addition, some recommendations are offered to India academics on how to effectively make use of such factors, which may enable India teachers and learners of English as a foreign language to achieve better learning outcomes in an area widely associated by India with lack of success.

Keywords

Challenge, curiosity, recognition, enjoyment, SL/FL motivation

Full Text: