English language students and their motivation to learn the language

Abstract

The current study aims to identify factors that motivate students or hinder them from learning the English language in Ecuadorian high schools. For this purpose 100 participants studying in a public school from the province of Pastaza, Ecuador, collaborated by answering an eight-item questionnaire. The survey attempted to determine the best possible methods of motivating student who are learning English, as well as to identify factors which hinder student. Additionally, an observation sheet was filled out during five English language lessons. Each observation played a key role in confirming the students’ answers towards their motivation to learn the foreign language. All the data was calculated in order to present a quantitative view of the students’ perception in their relation to their motivation to learn English. The results were analyzed, described and interpreted with a theoretical support of the study. In conclusion, the findings showed that the students’ have a low proficiency in the target language and this is the cause of their lack of motivation to learn the English language