Attitudes and motivation in English language learning : A case study of Attarkiah Islamiah School

Abstract

The research aims at studying the attitudes and motivation in English as a foreign language learning of Thai secondary school students. The study sits within the theoretical framework of constructivist theory taking into account Gardner’s attitude and motivation in language learning. The study considers students’ motivation in English language learning into 2 motives: instrumental and integrative motivation. Participants of this study are 239 Mathayomsuksa 5 students (Grade 11) and 10 English language teachers from Attarkiah Islamiah School. A questionnaire based on Gardner's Attitude/Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) was used to investigate the students’ attitudes and motivation. A semi-structured interview was then developed to explore the teachers’ views on students’ attitudes and motivation in English language learning. The results show that the students had positive attitudes towards English language learning. The instrumental reasons (educational achievement and job opportunities) of the students were slightly greater than the integrative reasons (people and cultural reason). Interestingly, students were less likely to hold integrative motivation in English language learning because they were lack of good learning opportunities. One of the factors influencing their motivation in language learning might be because of the insurgency taking place in the southernmost provinces of Thailand. The study contributed some perspectives on teaching practices that may help in encouraging students’ attitudes and motivation to better learning achievement.