III.
Methodology
Hypothesis: There are differences in Motivational level, interest and perception of three
generations towards Teachers and English Language Learning.
Duration: 1 month
Population: Freshmen - Sophomore – Junior TFL students and English language Instructors of
Suleyman Demirel University
Data collection instruments: interview, survey, placement test, observation.
Due to observation implementing teaching strategies which differ from what they get accustomed
to were monitored. A teacher who was recognized by students being “Strict” (Teacher A) have
changed to a “soft” and not demanding; let them study for themselves and follow course books
without extracurricular materials most of the time. “Soft” teacher (Teacher B) changed to
demanding and strict; required different creative tasks and project works, where deadlines have to
be met. The observation shows that the more you give freedom and democracy to students the less
they get motivated and become lazier and not interested in classes. Teacher B’s group started to
do tasks and complete them before deadlines by the only reason not to get low grade. It proves that
students reflect their instructors, if teachers are not motivated, students are neither motivated. If
classes are interesting, with challenging tasks and projects, it will make students study at least to
get good grades and grasp knowledge which they get interested to. But the only thing that didn’t
change was the perception about teacher.
IV.
Data Analysis
This research is an attempt to find out what are the differences in motivational level and
interest towards English language between three different generations; to prove or disprove that
there is a gap between teacher’s perception about students and students’ expectations about
teachers. English language level test, Interview from students and teachers, survey on the level of
Self-Motivation were taken. According to data collection, these are the differences between
freshmen, sophomore and junior students:
-
Freshmen are more motivated and enthusiastic towards English Language Learning, they
prefer encouragement to criticism. They are characterized as: learning oriented, willing to learn
something new. This year is the basement for motivation to take place. They not only have to be
taught, but also inspired and motivated.
-
Sophomore students are less motivated to study. They are being in the stage when they just
have to pass the course; not interested in the classes and trying to keep the scholarships and avoid
retake which will cost them money. But when a teacher is demanding and at the same time
interested in their progress, students are concentrated to learn.
-
Junior students are motivated to earn rather than to study. They claim that they know
everything and there is nothing left to be taught. Hard work takes place only when the teacher is
strict and has high authority on students. Students characterized as Grade-Oriented students.
According to the interview conducted from the students from three different groups and
instructors, majority of them are grade oriented learners. We figured out that they tend to study
because of a teacher being strict and demanding; if he/she is not, consequently they lose their
interest towards subject and don’t put enough effort.
Democratic approach works in Europe. Teacher gives only 20% and remaining 80%
students have to study by themselves working autonomously. That’s not the case in Kazakhstan.
When the students are let free, what they do is less than they were expected to do. In order learning
to happen what needed is Teacher’s motivation. According to interview: a Teacher is motivated to
teach when he has prepared materials, assignments and have certain principles to be indispensably
718
followed by students. There is a tendency: the more teacher demands, the more students get
motivated. Strictness of a teacher is his Motivation to teach. If teachers are not motivated to teach,
even the best students will lose their motivation and interest to learn.
Motivation plays an important role in determining one’s level of achievement. Therefore,
teachers who are responsible in leading their students’ need to be motivated so that they will be
well prepared to face all the upcoming challenges in the education field.
V.
Conclusion
This article was an attempt to find out the differences in motivational level and interest
towards English Language Learning between three different generations. Freshmen, sophomore
and junior students and their instructors were interviewed and took part in survey. The results of
questionnaire, interview and experiment opened the door to the problems that exist and significant
in our society. Self- motivation test was taken from students in order to figure out whether their
level of motivation is high or low, second, placement test was taken in order to check English
language level, does it match to their course requirements and whether it is related to their
motivational level. As a result, we found out that there are differences in teachers’ motivational
level to teach and students’ motivation and perception towards English language learning.
Important factors that shouldn’t be missed about different generations, the role of
motivation as a key element of teaching and learning process and the role of a Teacher as a great
motivator have to be taken into consideration. What is more, first year students should be those
who get more attention, support and encouragement from teachers. This is the time when teachers
should base a strong motivation to study. At the second year teachers have to pay more attention
to their academic performance and personality in order not to lose what was built in first year,
direct them in the right way. Third year students are those who are not interested in the classes and
have high level of self-motivation for achieving future goals, but not to study, if teacher is strict
and gives creative and difficult tasks only then they do for the sake of good grades.
To conclude, these are recommendations for better teaching and learning:
-Motivation is the key element for learning to happen. That is why both sides have to be
inspired. As the teacher’s being motivated is defined in this article he/she should have strong
requirements and principles, should keep the balance between being friendly i.e encouraging them
and at the same time being strict i.e. and make students fulfill all the requirements and meet the
deadlines. There are less students who are intrinsically motivated, thus the majority of students
have to be pushed to learn.
Limitations of the study: some of the limitations include external factors. Only the first,
second and third year students were taken as a sample of research. It is recommended to take senior
students and other instructors as well to be able to differentiate perception, motivational factors
that influence English language teaching and learning.
References:
1.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_57.htm
2.
http://www.examenglish.com/leveltest/grammar_level_test.htm
3.
http://www.academia.edu/8645442/Motivation_Strategies_in_English_Language_Learni
ng
4.
http://www.awej.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=429:ahmed-al-
shlowiy&catid=46&Itemid=152
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http://www.litu.tu.ac.th/journal/FLLTCP/Proceeding/904.pdf
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http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt/article/viewFile/18614/12331
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11648/j.ijll.20130101.14
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http://www.eajournals.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Study-on-Motivation-and-Anxiety-
of-English-Learning-of-Students-at-a-Taiwan-Technical-University.pdf
719
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http://www.ugr.es/~portalin/articulos/PL_numero21/3%20%20Ruth.pdf
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http://study.com/academy/lesson/goal-orientation-theory-how-goals-affect-student-
motivation-behavior.html
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https://books.google.kz/books?id=mnjfBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT199&lpg=PT199&dq=motiv
ational+videos+academic+performance+research&source=bl&ots=efMSMMxNyO&sig=
Z5wG9kp9e5eS86INPf6e5y57-
JU&hl=kk&sa=X&ei=ZdETVdDuL8ToywPPlYLABw&ved=0CFgQ6AEwCTgK#v=on
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http://community.mindsetworks.com/blog-page/home-blogs/entry/improving-student-
motivation-attitudes-and-academic-achievement-through-social-and-emotional-learning-
sel-using-brainology-article
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http://rua.ua.es/dspace/bitstream/10045/6003/1/RAEI_10_14.pdf
УДК 37.02; 371
THE ROLE OF MOTIVATION IN LANGUAGE LEARNING
Azamat Akerke , Batyrbekova Aliya
Suleyman Demirel University
Түйін
Бұл ғылыми жобада мұғалім мен мотивацияның оқушылардың тіл үйрену кезіндегі
маңызы және атқаратын рөлі зерттелген. Мотивация - әрбір оқыту және оқу ісінде өте
маңызды. Жеткіліксіз мотивация қызығушылықтың азаюына, жүйке жүйесіндегі ақауларға
зардабын тигізеді. Сыртқы мотивация - зерттеудің маңызды бөлігі болып табылады.
Abstract
This research paper represents the main role of motivation and teachers in language
learning. Motivation is one of the main factors in language learning. Lack of motivation can lead
to decrease of interest in activities, unpleasant consequences and provoke a nervous breakdown.
There are two types of motivation: intrinsic - your own reasons to study and extrinsic - sources of
external motivation. The main focus of this research is on external motivation.
Аннотация
Научная работа представляет собой главную роль мотивации и учителей в процессе
изучения языка. Мотивация - это главный ключ во всех изучениях. Недостаток мотивации
может привести к уменьшению интереса и к неприятным последствиям, может вызвать
нервные расстройства. Главное внимание фокусируется на внешней мотивации.
Key words Motivation, external, internal, extrinsic, intrinsic, methods, language learning,
feedback, models, multiple intelligence, language skills.
We tried to find solution for some problematic cases and to answer questions:
- What kind of motivation is more effective in language learning?
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- Which skills can be improved more by motivation?
- Can teachers increase students' motivation to learn?
Introduction
Motivation has been widely accepted by teachers and researchers as one of the key factors which
influences the level of success in language learning. Motivation is responsible for determining
human behavior by energizing students and giving them direction. It's the state that involves goals
and requires activity, shows the direction of action, effort and persistence.
Types of motivation
Intrinsic Extrinsic
arises from a desire to learn to perform and succeed for
a topic due to its inherent the sake of accomplishing a interests,
for fulfillment specific result or outcome enjoyment and
achieve mastery
Preference for challenge
Curiosity and interest
Independent mastery
Independent judgment
Internal criteria for success
Preference for easy work
Pleasing a teacher/getting grades
Dependence on teacher in figuring out
problems
Reliance on teacher’s judgment about what to
do
External criteria for success
Motivation directs behavior toward particular aims. Social cognitive scientists propose that
individuals set goals for themselves and direct their behavior on that way. Motivation determines
the specific goals toward learners struggle.
Often learners are simultaneously motivated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, however
extrinsic motivation has greater effect.
Those days, in all stages of motivational process the role of a teacher is known as being highly
significant. Because of interaction that happen between learners and teacher,
many studies have
been conducted to determine the influence of a teacher in learning process.
Given the difficulty of
the issue it may well constitute the subject of a separate paper. What we shall attempt here is just
summary of important qualities a good teacher usually displays. At the top of the list we should
place the teacher’s enthusiasm, acknowledgement and stimulation of students ideas, the creation
of a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere in the classroom, the presentation of activities in a clear,
interesting and motivating way, the encouragement of pupils with difficulties, helping them to
increase their expectations of themselves.
Methods of motivating in teaching process:
1) frequent, early and positive feedback which supports student
721
2) tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult
3) help to find students' personal meaning and value
4) create an open and positive atmosphere
5) provide choices - let students feel some sense of autonomy
6) balance the challenge
7) role of models - invited guests, fellow students or peers
8) use successful peer models as an example
9) establish a sense of belonging
10) a supportive teaching style
11) struggling students
12) working for a long period of time
Being constantly aware that all humans learning is fundamentally a process involving the
making of mistakes may help any teacher in using mistakes and errors creatively during the
teaching activity, for they hold in them some of the keys to the understanding of the process. When
teachers help the learners to develop an internal sense of control as well as feelings of effectiveness
in their ability to carry out tasks, then there are great chance for the learners to become motivated
to learn. External rein forcers in the form of rewards, good marks or simple praise, are often
considered to be excellent ways of motivating underachieving or reluctant learners. Conversely,
extra homework, punishment or other sanctions, proved not only ineffective in bringing about
positive change, but also having exactly the opposite effect. As Williams and Burden have rightly
observed when “feedback actually provides information to learners that enables them to identify
specific aspects of their performance (…) it should prove both motivating and helpful to them to
move into the zone of next development. If, on the other hand, the feedback fails to provide this
kind of information, it could have entirely the opposite effect”. (1997: 138)
Result of experiment
Nine students had a Multiple Intelligence and Level tests. According to Level test we found out
that 3 students have advanced level; 4 students have upper-intermediate level; 2 students have
intermediate level. It shows that level of their English higher than average.
We interviewed eleven students by asking such questions:
1) What helps you learn a foreign language?
2) What do you think about role of motivation in language learning?
3) Does motivation help you to be successful in this area? If "Yes" what kind of motivation it is?
Most of them mentioned ability to visit foreign countries, travelling and working there. Also,
teachers were able to increase their motivation by showing movies, by the help of pictures and
cards, listening to music. Some students think that books motivate them to get involved in their
work. Moreover, according to their opinion, by reading book they can learn by heart and remember
words easily. One student thinks that young and witty teachers can motivate more than other
factors do. For one student internal motivation and willingness, desire are the most important ones.
Most of them had a big dream to work with foreigners. Answer of one student was different from
722
others. For her, self belief and endeavor are the most motivating factors. Factors mentioned above
influence students whose Multiple intelligence mostly musical, bodily-kinesthetic and logical-
mathematical. It means that external factors influence not only linguistic students, who are closer
to a language. There is one type of external factor which can also help students, it is internet that
was opinion of two students.
Internet is another type of external factor which has an influence for two students.
As we expected 3 of interviewees think that the main figure who give motivation to study - is a
teacher. According to their point of view, teachers are more professional and they know students
better than others. Due to it teachers can motivate them easily and develop leaner's language skills.
It is clear from students' answers that they take motivation from Ideal Teachers.
In language teaching, motivation refers to the ability to arouse in students the desire to learn the
language and a feeling that the language they are learning is useful. Whatever level of motivation
students bring to the classroom will be transformed, for better or worse, by what happens in that
classroom. Many factors affect a student's motivation to work and learn: interest in the subject
matters, perception of its usefulness, general desire to achieve, self-confidence and self-esteem, as
well as patience and persistence. The important thing here is to know how teacher can help students
to be highly motivated to learn the language. In order to do that they should give them clear and
detailed information why students should learn English and relate that to their own needs. For
example, people may say that English is the first international language and Command of English
means better chance for jobs. Moreover, teacher has to employ techniques that require the students
to utilize the language creatively as an instrument of learning. Show genuine interest in students
and their achievements. Nothing is more disappointing for a student than to feel ignored, neglected,
or carelessly evaluated, or to feel that his work does not appeal to the teacher. Teacher should be
specific when giving negative feedback. Negative feedback is very powerful and can lead to a
negative class atmosphere. A teacher should also give praise to the class as a whole to encourage
the class and also build team unity. Also, introduce students to the good work done by their peers.
In other words,` share the ideas, knowledge, and accomplishments of individual students with the
class as a whole.
As we understood, a lot of external motivation, like teachers, interest and people who speaks
fluently inspire students.
To enrich our research we interviewed not only students, also three practical language teachers.
1) Is motivation effective in all language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking)?
2) What you do to improve language skills of your students?
3) How do you motivate your students to learn? - these questions were asked.
All of them agreed that motivation is a key to open the door of success in learning. Two teachers
use different tasks and assignments among the book in order to improve students skills and think
that before doing some activities every teacher must know what kind of learner it is, their strengths
and weaknesses in a given area and focus on their weak points. One teacher shared his own
experience, that comparing himself with peers was a good motivation to develop. We are sure that
those teachers, use another more efficient ways to give them motivation, like watching movies
based on a true story, sharing own experience, talking about students who were successful before,
by being a good example as a teacher and helping them to see the most interesting part of their
future profession. One more effective factor which was mentioned is peers, by their help they can
understand own ability and will be ashamed, then will be involved in studying.
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