Investigating the Relationship between Motivation and Language Achievement. The Case of Second Year Students in Boussam Secondary School Bordj Ghedir in Bordj Bou Arreridj.

Abstract

The present study investigates second-year students’ motivation towards learning English in Boussam Mohamed Cherif high school in Bordj Ghedir. It aims to figure out to what extent second year students are motivated to learn English as well as the different factors that motivate and demotivate them. Our research relies on an integrated approach combining Dornyei’s and Williams and Burden’s frameworks of second language motivational strategies. To collect data, we administered a questionnaire to thirty (30) students. In addition, an interview was conducted with their teachers. For the analysis of data, a mixed-research method was used. The study, in fact, combines quantitative and qualitative methods. We used statistical analysis and Qualitative Content Analysis for results obtained from the questionnaires. As regards the interpretation of the teachers’ interview, we followed the Qualitative Content Analysis method. The main finding of the teachers’ interview indicates that the majority of teachers responded that their students are motivated to learn English. On the other hand, student’s questionnaire showed also that the majority of them are motivated to learn English. As regards the demotivational factors, our findings show that factor relating to “fear of making mistakes”, “shyness and anxiety”. Finally, on the basis of the results obtained we reached the conclusion that the majority of second-year students are motivated to learn English and their teachers motivate them to learn it using different techniques and strategies. Key terms: Motivation, L2 Motivation, Motivational Strategies