Factors Influencing Language Learning Motivation for Non—English Majors

谢春丽　何萍

【Abstract】There is no doubt that English is an important course for our Chinese students as a second language. Unfortunately， many people meet problems at the beginning of the study—they have no motivation for English learning， especially for college students who come from non-English department. We find that among all the factors that influence individual learners English learning， motivation is definitely a critical one. This article concludes some factors that play an important role in non-English students English learning. In accordance with the purpose of students English learning， the teacher can find out the problems exist in students English study. This article tries to help to solve the problems and meet the students need in English learning.

【Key words】motivation of learning； factors； non-English majors

Nowadays， about a quarter people have been learning English in China， most of them show their interest at the beginning， but as time goes， they become less and less interest in English learning， they change their purpose， especially for college students English learning. This article shows the opinion that it is essential to improve it is to cultivate the students interest for English learning and try to keep their motivation or purpose. Motivation has long been considered as one of the key factors in English acquisition. But where does the motivation come from？ What is the influence that motivation has in English learning？ The answer to these questions will be useful to both English learners and teachers.This article pays attention to the definition of motivation to begin with. And then， some factors and problems that influence the students English learning are introduced.

1. Definition of Motivation

There are different views on the definition of motivation. “Motivation is a force that energizes， sustains， and directs behavior toward a goal” . Gardner defines motivation to learn the foreign language as “the extent to which the individual works or strives to learn the language because of a desire to do so and the satisfaction experienced in this activity” . According to Gardner， motivation consists of four aspects： a goal， effortful behavior， a desire to attain the goal and favorable attitudes towards the activity in question. Brown defines that “motivation is commonly thought of as an inner drive， impulse， emotion， or desire that moves one to a particular action”.

According to the definition and the contents of motivation， we learn that the motivation plays an important roles in English learning. So we should take good advantages if motivation to help learners effectively. If a learner knows why he wants to learn English； why he needs to learn English； what level should he achieve， the reasons may push him to success in English learning.

2. Factors Influencing Language Learning Motivation

2.1 Attitude

Motivation and attitudes are closely related. Underlying and supporting motivation are a whole range of attitudes to learning， to language culture and to its speakers. In language learning， parental， personal， or peer attitudes to the second language and to the native speakers contribute to developing a learners language motivation. To some extent， motivation depends on attitude. It is clear that language learners benefit from positive attitude while negative attitude may lead to decreasing motivation.

2.2 Interest

It is believed that interest is very important in learning everything， particularly in English learning. If the learner especially for non-English majors， show interest in English learning， he would learn English actively. For example， if he meet any problems in learning， he would turn to somebody for help. If he wants to get more information， he may surf Internet or consult a number of books about the information. In this way， English learning can be more interesting and active， and the English learning can be take effect.

2.3 Teaching Method

To a certain degree， English teaching is a process of interaction between teachers and students， because the English input is always made in the artificial environment and is the major way for the non-English majors to be exposed to the English. How to use efficient and suitable methods for teachers will determine the outcome of language teaching. In brief， the teaching methods should not only meet the needs of contemporary language learning， but also arouse the interest of learners.

2.4 Learning Environment

English learning environment that influence learning motivation can not be neglected. A rich English language learning environment can be created through making full use of the time and resources both inside and outside the school. It is important to provide students with maximum English exposure as well as meaningful and purposeful activities through which they can learn and apply the language.

The article reveals the motivational factors that influence students English learning， and from this view， its easier to study the problems that the students hold， and find the right ways to resolve them.studying the factors that influence the English learners becomes necessary for this article. Numerous studies will still be conducted to study motivation to stimulate non-English students greatest English learning motivation.

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