SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ LANGUAGE LEARNING MOTIVATION AND PERCEPTIONS ABOUT ENGLISH AS A LINGUA FRANCA IN IRAN

Abstract

This study delves into the motivations and attitudes of Iranian secondary students in Tabriz towards learning English, focusing on their inspirations and perceptions of English as a global language. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through a structured questionnaire and random interviews with students. Instructors ensured that students comprehended the questionnaire's inquiries, and SPSS was used to facilitate the analysis of quantitative data. The study revealed that students are primarily motivated by goal orientation, with their participation in English language learning driven by specific objectives such as enhancing future career prospects, accessing broader economic opportunities, and facilitating effective communication and cultural comprehension within the English-speaking community. These findings underscore the varied reasons students articulated during interviews, providing a nuanced understanding of their motivations. Qualitative data from interviews was analyzed through content analysis, yielding comprehensive insights. After disseminating the research’s strong data to be implemented in education systems, both favorable and unfavorable aspects should therefore be brought to their attention. Understanding what drives these aspirations could help in making policies that facilitate the realization of learners’ goals, thereby making Iranian high schools’ language instruction system more successful in general.

Keywords

• English as a Lingua Franca
• Language Learning Motivation
• Secondary School Students

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