Exploring Motivation: Its Role and Impact in Learning English as a Second Language
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31571/bahasa.v12i2.10072Abstract
This study thoroughly examines motivation as a key element in learning English as a Second Language (ESL). Viewing it not as something static, but as a constantly evolving phenomenon with many facets. The researchers use various aspects of motivation, including intrinsic motivation that arises from a person's enjoyment and interest in the learning process, as well as extrinsic motivation that is driven by external factors such as rewards or pressure. Motivation is a key factor in explaining the success or failure of challenging activities. It has a profound impact on learners' engagement and perseverance, as well as their resilience in facing linguistic challenges. Additionally, motivation shapes the application of effective learning strategies, with highly motivated learners more likely to seek opportunities to practice, utilize available resources, and actively participate in communicative activities. Most importantly, motivation is a strong predictor of overall proficiency and ESL achievement, influencing grammatical accuracy, vocabulary acquisition, communicative competence, and willingness to communicate. This article aims to identify the motivational factors that influence ESL learning, analyze the role of motivation in student engagement and strategies, and assess the relationship between motivation and English as a second language achievement. This study uses interviews to collect qualitative data from ESL learners to understand their experiences and motivations, as well as a literature review to examine relevant sources related to motivation in language learning, with the hope of providing deep insights into the role of motivation in learning English as a second language.
Downloads
References
Anjomshoa, L., & Sadighi, F. (n.d.). The importance of motivation in second language acquisition.
Barclay, C. (2018). Semi-structured interviews. In KnowHow (pp. 1–3). https://know.fife.scot/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/177607/KnowHow-Semistructured-interviews.pdf
Brown, H. D. (2007). Teaching by principles: An interactive approach to language pedagogy (3rd ed.). Pearson Education Inc.
Griffin, C. (2015). Reliable research: How to determine if a source is credible & accurate. In Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/reliable-research-how-to-determine-if-a-source-is-credible accurate.html
Chang, L. Y. (2010). Group processes and EFL learners’ motivation: A study of group dynamics in EFL classrooms. TESOL Quarterly, 44(1), 129–154. https://doi.org/10.5054/tq.2010.213780
Christianto, D., & Karin, I. (2019). The roles of motivation in the English language learning.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (n.d.). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches.
Dörnyei, Z. (2005). The psychology of the language learner: Individual differences in second language acquisition. Lawrence Erlbaum.
Dörnyei, Z. (2008). Motivation and motivating in the foreign language classroom. The Modern Language Journal, 78(3), 273–284.
Dörnyei, Z. (2009). The psychology of second language acquisition. Oxford University Press.
George, T. (2023, Juni 22). Semi structured interview | Definition, guide & examples. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/semi-structured-interview/
Harmer, J. (2001). The practice of English language teaching (3rd ed., completely rev. and updated, 8th impr.).
Longman. Kaboody, M. A. (2013). Second language motivation: The role of teachers in. Nordquist, R. (2025, Mei 19). Definition of English as a Second Language (ESL). ThoughtCo. Diakses pada 22 Juli 2025, dari https://www.thoughtco.com/english-as-a-second-language-esl-1690599
Rahmawati, A., Halimah, N., Karmawan, K., & Setiawan, A. A. (2024). Optimalisasi teknik wawancara dalam penelitian field research melalui pelatihan berbasis participatory action research pada mahasiswa Lapas Pemuda Kelas IIA Tangerang. Jurnal Abdimas Prakasa Dakara, 4(2), 135–142. https://doi.org/10.37640/japd.v4i2.2100
Rismayanti, R. R., Rayhan, M. A. R., Adzim, Q. K. E. A., & Fatihah, L. A. F. (2023). Pengaruh motivasi instrinsik dan motivasi ekstrinsik terhadap proses pembelajaran mahasiswa Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. Jurnal Pendidikan, Sains Dan Teknologi, 2(2), 251–261. https://doi.org/10.47233/jpst.v2i2.742
Ritonga, S. (2023). Rekapitulasi rata-rata data hasil wawancara calon mahasiswa Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Tarbiyah Al Bukhary Labuhanbatu tahun 2023. Tarbiyah bil Qalam: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama dan Sains, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.58822/tbq.v7i2.158
Saville-Troike, M. (n.d.). Introducing second language acquisition.
Thohir, L. (2017). Motivation in a foreign language teaching and learning. Vision: Journal for Language and Foreign Language Learning, 6(1), 20–29. https://doi.org/10.21580/vjv6i11580
Waruwu, M. (2023). Pendekatan penelitian pendidikan: Metode penelitian kualitatif, metode penelitian kuantitatif dan metode penelitian kombinasi.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
License and Publishing Agreement
In submitting the manuscript to the journal, the authors certify that:
- They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
- The work described has not been formally published before, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, thesis, or overlay journal.
- That it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere,
- That its publication has been approved by all the author(s) and by the responsible authorities – tacitly or explicitly – of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
- They secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
- They agree to the following license and publishing agreement.
Copyright
Authors who publish with Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.Â
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
Download: 53