JOURNEY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING: STORIES OF MOTIVATION

Abstract

Motivation in English language learning is a subject that is often discussed and debated in the field of English language teaching and learning. It is also a subject that gets learners interested in understanding themselves, as to how they perceive learning English and how they actually learn English. I believe that without motivation, no matter what you do, be it learning English or riding a bicycle, the effort cannot be materialized to the fullest. Theoretically, motivation is considered a part of individual differences that encourages learners to learn English, and it is quite so as not all learners are motivated the same way. I had always been interested in the role that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation plays in making the learners encouraged to learn English; these two are the types of motivation that I have discussed in my research. As there have been many researches regarding motivation in English language learning, I wanted to write accounts of a few individuals including myself on this topic. Finally, I could write a research that looks at two stories, which are unique as well as intertwined in their own manner. My purpose for writing this research was that I wanted to know how two different learners are motivated to learn English and think of it as their career choice, and the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in their learning of English. As I wanted to focus on stories, I chose the life history strategy in narrative inquiry method to conduct my research. And, following William G Tierney’s model of life history document presentation, I have presented the stories likewise. My research does not necessarily follow any fixed pattern, but I have tried my level best to make it coherent and cohesive for the readers. There are no absolute findings in my research, keeping in mind the nature of my research; however, I can say that two different learners are motivated, maybe, by similar sources, but the way they are motivated may be quite different. Also, it is not always in black and white, if the learner is motivated intrinsically or extrinsically; learners may be motivated by both these types of motivation in one situation, or they may be affected by just one type at a time. I finished this research writing with a few implications, further room for research and my reflections of undergoing this research.