Demotivational Factors Towards Learning English for the Students of Social Sciences High SchoolMotivation,

Abstract

Demotivation plays a key role in foreign language learning. However, studies in this field mostly focused on the factors influencing the learners’ motivation positively instead of the factors causing demotivation. In this regard, this study aims to identify the sources of demotivation towards learning English for the students of social sciences high schools. For this study, data was collected by means of Demotivation Scale developed by Sakai and Kikuchi (2009). 4073 students, chosen according to the stratified sampling method, compose the sample of the study. As a result of the research, it is found out that the main source of demotivation in English classes among students is factors related to class environment. It is also observed that course materials are as effective as characteristics of class on student demotivation towards English. While factors related to experience of failure was the forth source of demotivation for students, teacher related factors are found to be the weakest demotivator. Furthermore, as a result of this study, it is revealed that there is a correlation between demotivation and gender, academic level and proficiency.