The Influence of socio cultural and educational background on EFL learners' motivation

Authors

  • Meta Keumala Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia
  • Nanda Marlina Samad
  • Iskandar Abdul Samad Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia
  • Noor Rachmawaty Universitas Mulawarman, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24256/itj.v1i1.556

Keywords:

English as a Foreign Language (EFL), Learners’ Motivation, Socio Cultural Background, Educational Background

Abstract

Abstract:    It is undeniable that motivation plays a very important role in the learning process of students. However, some learners still face difficulties in learning English language due to some factors such as differences on its cultural aspects that contributes to the lack of intercultural competence on EFL learners. The aim of the research is to investigate the socio cultural and educational factors that influence the learner’s motivation on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning among post-graduate students of English Department of Syiah Kuala University, Aceh, Indonesia. The method of the study is descriptive qualitative where researchers collected the data through library research and distribution of questionnaires to twenty students. The results showed that socio cultural and educational background impact on learners’ motivation in EFL learning. Students who are in collectivistic culture (60%) carried traditional thinking in facing new culture during the EFL learning process while the rest of the students who are in the part of individualistic culture (40%) tend to react positively in facing new culture. Furthermore, educational background also has impacted the learners’ motivation. Students’ prior knowledge contribute to (70%) their learning achievement.

Author Biographies

Meta Keumala, Universitas Syiah Kuala

Meta Keumala is a postgraduate student of Syiah Kuala University. Currently, she is teaching English at several private foundations in Aceh.

Nanda Marlina Samad

Nanda Marlina is a lecturer at IAIN Zawiyah Cot Kala Langsa. She completed her master degree in language and humanity in 2018. Currently, she organises a private foundation, Basic English Course (BEC) in Langsa. She is active in writing academic articles.

Iskandar Abdul Samad, Universitas Syiah Kuala

Iskandar Abdul Samad is an alumni of University of New England (UNE), Australia. He completed his PhD degree at this university in 2015. His research interest is in language teaching methods and approaches, including the use of genre approach for teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and communicative language teaching generally. Before completing his PhD at UNE, he had completed his Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics at Macquarie University, Australia in 2007. He has taught English as a Foreign Language for more than 15 years at Syiah Kuala University, Aceh, Indonesia. He established a private foundation, Rumoh Bahasa, where he also teaches EFL. Iskandar is an avid reader and writer. He has attended and presented papers at national and international conferences and written books on teaching English for novice students.

Noor Rachmawaty, Universitas Mulawarman

Noor Rahmawaty is a lecturer in English Department, Faculty of Education, Mulawarman University. She obtained her Doctoral Degree at Makassar State University. Her research interest covers ELT, SLA, and culture

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Published

2019-03-31

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2019): Indonesian TESOL Journal (March)

Section

Articles

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