Demotivation Factors for Learning English (Students' Perspectives)

Abstract

Demotivation is a topic that has lately received a lot of attention in the field of language acquisition. There is a shortage of research in Jordan that investigates demotivating variables impacting learning English among Jordanian undergraduate students. As a result, the purpose of this research is to look at the elements that influence Jordanian undergraduate students' acquisition of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). The data was collected using a questionnaire adapted from Sakai and Kikuchi (2009). The survey comprised 35 questions on a five Point likert scale about six demotivation factors: class characteristics, teacher attitude, course contents and teaching materials, effects of poor grades, classroom atmosphere, and lack of self-confidence and interest. This study's sample included 110 undergraduate students from the faculty of arts at Zarqa University in Jordan. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The data showed that classroom environment is the most demotivating elements impacting Jordanian undergraduate students' EFL learning, while lack of self-confidence and interest were the least demotivating factors. As a result, further research into this topic is strongly suggested in order to acquire a better knowledge and deeper insights into this issue in order to aid ESL/EFL learners in learning English.