ABSTRACT

Nowadays English has been a tool of world communication and English learning has increasingly been a common phenomenon. Since 2001, the Ministry of Education has attached much importance to English learning in primary school. The aim of primary school English curriculum is to stimulate pupils’ interest. Therefore, as to the inner emotional factors of pupils, learning motivation is the key to success. The research attempts to investigate the external factors in English learning motivation of primary school students by applying a quantitative method of questionnaire under the guidance of Cardner’s motivation theory. 

As indicated by the findings, primary school students are both motivated intrinsically and extrinsically while more intrinsically. However, two external factors, parents and learning environment, do have a great influence on students’ learning motivation. When their parents pay more attention to children’s English learning, their motivation is clearer and more positive. The same is true with the learning environment. The more satisfying the learning environment, the more efficient their English learning will be. Hopefully, this study will help strengthen primary school students’ English learning motivation and consequently improve primary school English teaching and learning.

Key words: primary school students; English learning; motivational factors

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One  INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two  LITERATURE REVIEW-3

2.1 Theoretical Studies on Learning Motivation-3

2.1.1 Definitions of motivation and learning motivation-3

2.1.2 Theoretical construction of motivation abroad-4

2.1.3 Domestic research status of learning motivation-5

   2.2 Empirical Studies on Learning Motivation-5

       2.2.1 Relationship between learning motivation and learner autonomy-6

       2.2.2 Relationship between learning motivation and achievement-6

   2.3 Summary-6

Chapter Three  METHODOLOGY-7

   3.1 Research Questions-7

   3.2 Subjects-7

   3.3 Instrument-8

   3.4 Data Collection and Analysis-9

   3.5 Summary-9

Chapter Four  RESULTS AND DISCUSSION-10

   4.1 Results of the Questionnaire-10

   4.2 Major Factors Influencing English Learning Motivation-12

      4.2.1 Learners’ parents-13

      4.2.2 Learners’ learning environment-14

      4.2.3 Implications for primary school English teaching and learning-15

   4.3 Summary-16

Chapter Five  CONCLUSION-17

REFERENCES-19

APPENDIX-21