English language students and their motivation to learn the language

Abstract

Abstract: The present study investigates English language students and their motivation to learn the language. The purpose of this study is to learn more about the students' perceptions in relation to their motivation to learn English inside the classroom. It tries to answer the question of what motivates and what hinders students when they are learning English. This research was conducted in a high school, located in Puerto Ayora, Ecuador. The data was obtained by surveying one hundred students of five different English courses with questionnaires. The researcher observed five random classes to answer the observation sheets. The courses included 10th to 12th grade high school courses. A total of 56 girls and 44 boys, ageing between 14 and 17 years were surveyed. The approach of this study is quantitative and qualitative. The factors described and analyzed in this research indicate that students are generally motivated to study English and that their main motivation is extrinsic. Problems that were identified to hinder students when learning English, showed to be linked to problems of large multilevel classrooms, the textbook and the teacher.