Because they said so: Life stories of four college students in Puerto Rico and the influential factors in their English learning process

This investigation used life history to understand the different factors that have influenced the current motivations to learn English and perceptions about this language of several learners at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez campus (UPRM). Four first-year students were purposely selected to include students from both public and private educational settings, a return migrant and an international student were also part of the sample. Life histories were collected through a series of interview protocols and a focus group. The data was analyzed using a model of instrumental/integrative motivational orientations for learning a second language. Parents and teachers were found to be the greatest influence in these students' language acquisition. Participants however, reported that teachers were mostly responsible for the amount of English that they had learned. In addition, other motivational orientations such as technological and leisure were also found to be present in the lives of the participants.