Motivation versus age variable in secondary-school learners of English language

Motivation versus age variable in secondary-school learners of English language

Terzić, Aida

Motivation is probably the most important factor for successful learning of any kind. This paper will attempt to explore the process of motivation for English language learning in secondary school learners considering the variable of age - its application or lack of it through the learning process itself, relevant factors which affect students, teacher’s role, the influence of parents, peers, and the environment, and to prove the hypotheses that a) motivation changes and decreases with the change of age in secondary school learners; and b) extrinsic motivation is more present than intrinsic motivation at secondary school level. This research problem will be examined through the method of questionnaire on the sample of 100 respondents – secondary school students (from first grade up to the fourth grade) of High Commercial School in Travnik. The paper will also attempt to discuss the types of motivation, types of learners, learners’ age, environment etc. and other learners’ variables, both through the recent theoretical studies regarding motivation in general (a detailed description of sources, characteristics and types of motivation), and, also, it will try to present a practical sample research of a decrease in motivation that starts at the upper-primary level and tends to decrease through the secondary level. Key words: Motivation, extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation, language learners, age variable

Article
PeerReviewed

International Burch University

2016-03-03

3253