Demotivating Factors for Saudi EFL Learners: A Comparative Study between Arts and Science Tracks Preparatory Year Programme Students

Abstract

While several studies in L2 deal with motivation in English language learning, demotivation has recently become the focus of much research. Following Sakai and Kikuchi's (2009) theoretical framework, this study aims to investigate the demotivation factors that affect Saudi students learning English in the Preparatory Year Programme (PYP) at a Saudi university. The data were collected from a random sample of 221 university students from the Arts Track (103) and the Science Track (118). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a questionnaire with two open-ended questions and analysed using SPSS and content analysis. The results revealed that the main demotivating factor that affects both tracks is ‘experience of failure and test score’. In addition, there was no significant difference between the students on the Arts Track and the Science Track pertinent to factors such as: 'experiences of failure and test scores', 'class environment', and 'learning content and materials.' However, there was a significant difference between the two tracks related to 'teachers' competence and teaching styles', 'characteristics of the classroom' and students' 'lack of interest' factors. The study's findings may have broader implications because they suggest that teachers can significantly impact students' intrinsic motivation as they can motivate low-performing students and those who have failed. It also suggests that teachers should dissuade students from comparing themselves to their classmates, avoid making comparisons among students, and use more communicative language teaching methods. Saudi pre-service and in-service EFL instructors should be better prepared to identify the primary sources of their students' demotivation and provide solutions to improve the learning environment.