Research On The Demotivating Factors Affecting College English Learning

Past motivation reserch has typically conceptualized a'motive'as a kind of'inducement', without much being said about'negative'motives, i.e. demotivation. The present paper attmpts to ascertain the potential sources of demotivation so as to better sustain and reinforce learners'motivation to learn English. A combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches was adopted to explore the primary demotivating factors affecting college English learning in China. Based on the results of the questionnaire and the interview, five primary demotivating factors were extracted: a) teacher immediacy, b) teacher competency and teaching styles, c) contextual demotivating factors, d) task-related demotivating factors and e) learner-related demotivating factors. Drawing on the major findings of the present study, pedogogical implications are offered in a hope to prevent or minimize demotivation and facilitate remotivation.