Abstract:In recent years, learning motivation and classroom participation have gained a great attention of scholars both at home and abroad, and many remarkable achievements have appeared. But there are small quantities of studies about the influence of English learning motivation on class participation. Most of them are restricted to the theoretical statement or the questionnaire survey method. Therefore, this study attempts to investigate the influence of non-English major students’ English learning motivation on classroom participation.

In this study, we first did a questionnaire investigation to survey the current situations of the non-English major students’ English learning motivation and classroom participation; and then we conducted classroom observation to record the data of students’ classroom participation. After the class, we interviewed some students who had special performance during the class, and the teachers were interviewed to test and verify the results of classroom observation. Through the questionnaire investigation, individual interviews and classroom observation, we find that: English learning motivation has an impact on classroom participation for the students of non-English major. Most of students regard the academic achievement as their learning motivation. In addition, students seem to be inactive in classroom participation. We hope that this study will shed some insights on the English teaching for non-English major students so as to improve the situation of classroom participation and the results of learning.

Key Words: non-Engish major; motivation; classroom paticipation; influence

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Rationale-1

1.2 Aim and objectives-1

1.3 Organization of the paper-2

2. Literature Review-3

2.1 Learning motivation-3

2.2 Theories of learning motivation-3

2.2.1 Self-determination theory-3

2.2.2 Self-efficacy theory-4

2.2.3 Achievement goal theory-4

2.3 Previous Studies about learning motivation and classroom participation-5

2.3.1 Previous studies on learning motivation-5

2.3.2 Previous studies on classroom participation-5

2.3.3 Previous studies on both learning motivation and classroom participation-5

3. Research Methodology-7

3.1 Research questions-7

3.2 Subjects-7

3.3 Design-8

3.4 Instruments-8

3.5 Data collection and research method-8

4. Results and Discussion-10

4.1 Results of the questionnaires-10

4.1.1 Analysis of English learning motivation-10

4.1.2 Analysis of classroom participation-12

4.2 Result of classroom observation-14

4.3 Result of the interviews-16

4.3.1 Analysis of the interviews of students-16

4.3.2 Analysis of the interviews of teachers-16

5. Conclusion-17

5.1 Major findings-17

5.2 Pedagogical implications-17

5.3 Limitations and suggestions-17

References-19

Appendix A: A Sample of Questionnaire Items-21

Appendix B: A Sample of Interview Items-23

Appendix C: A Sample of Classroom Observation-24

Acknowledgements-25