An Investigation Into English Learning Motivation Of Students In Vocational Colleges

At present, motivation has been widely accepted by both teachers and researchers as one of the key factors that influence the success of language learning and a motivated learner is one who is willing or eager to put efforts in learning activities. Motivation to second language learning is defined as the extent to which the individual works or strives to learn the language because of a desire to do so and the satisfaction experienced in this activity. Many researches of motivation have been made from different perspectives. The previous researches are quite fruitful. However, few of these researches have been made on vocational college students.This study is to investigate motivation of students in the writer's vocational college. 157 subjects from this college are chosen to answer the questionnaire, which is designed to examine the motivational types and the correlation between motivation and learning achievement. One interview is also conducted after the quantitative study.In this thesis, the writer intends to solve the following questions:1) What are the main types of motivation among vocational college students?2) What is the relation between motivation and achievement?3) What are the differences between non-English majors and English majors in terms of motivational intensity?4) What are the teaching strategies to motivate English learners?The study shows that three significant motivational types for vocational college students are instrumental, intrinsic and integrative motivation. It indicates that motivation has a positive correlation with achievement. The stronger learning motivation is, the higher achievement is. Achievement can reversely influence learners' motivation. English majors and non-English majors are different in terms of motivational intensity. It presents that significant other people and the learning environment also affect students' motivation.