Exploring the Role of Motivation in English Language Teaching: Learners and Teachers Perspective

Abstract

This study aims at exploring and investigating the role of motivation in learning and teaching of English language. It highlights the fact if extrinsic motivation is likely to have an impact on the learning process of a student stronger than intrinsic motivation, or both types of motivations have a significant role to play in the process. The study also focuses on the role of a teacher in building a conducive environment to sustain a healthy competition in teaching a second language. The questionnaire was sent to undergraduate students of 2 universities by using Google forms. The sample size for this research population was 60. There were a total of 19 (31.7%) male respondents and 41 (68.3%) female respondents. The results conclude that students’ guardians have a significant role to play in learning a new language. The primary method, for most students, to learn English language was through entertainment media such as television and movies. A significant motivator for students was the opinion of other people. There was a moderate, positive correlation between the two variables namely extrinsic and intrinsic motivation [r=.345, n = 60, p <.0005]. This shows that the two types of motivations are not mutually exclusive but can co-exist as they did in our sample. Both extrinsic and intrinsic motivations are crucial in the development of effective pedagogical practices.