Factors affecting Non-English major students' motivation to learn English at Ba Ria - Vung Tau University (BVU): Master of TESOL

Abstract

This study focuses on exploring common factors that have influences on non English major students’ motivation to learn English at BVU. To discover motivational elements of these students, a conceptual framework was designed with six major factors based on previous studies about motivation, including learning objectives, learning method, teaching method, learning content, learning environment, and parents. The present research program’s results were found by analysing quantitative data (from the survey with the participation of 100 non-English major students) and qualitative data (from the interview with eight non-English major students and four experienced teachers). The mean scores were calculated to determine what factors affect BVU’s non-English major students’ English learning motivation. In addition, the findings from the interview also supported the statistical analysis. The results indicated that non-English major students at BVU are influenced by extrinsic motivation than intrinsic motivation in the process of learning English. Additionally, the results revealed the four significant factors influencing non-English major students’ motivation to learn English at BVU are learning method, teaching method, learning goals, and learning environment. Meanwhile, it was also shown that learning content and parents had minor effects on these students’ interest in learning English. Further discussion about the results and education implications is provided.