A Longitudinal Study of Motivation as a Dynamic Process in Learning English as Second Language (ESL) among Undergraduate Students of Engineering University at Jamshoro

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate motivating factors of students to learn English as a second language and dynamical changes in their motivational level. Factors that motivate can be integrative or instrumental and, moreover, can bring fluctuations in learners’ motivation from time to time. Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro offers English Language course on the curriculum of various engineering degree programs. Students’ past learning experiences affect their present learning. Therefore, this study explores students past and present motivation for learning English. This study is qualitative in nature in which semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interviews were divided into two phases. Phase one was conducted before the beginning of the English language course in which participants were asked about their perceptions for learning English Language and phase two was conducted after the end of the course which compared students’ pervious perceptions with current level of motivation. This paper found motivation as a dynamic process and students’ level of motivation was increased due to proper teaching and learning environment.

Keywords: Longitudinal study, Dynamic Motivation, Engineering University Students, English as a second language.