Causes Of Low English Learning Motivation On Lower Level College Students

In second language learning, motivation is a very important factor for language learners. Many scholars and teachers put efforts in this area. Many researches have proved that motivation has a great influence on second language learning. Chinese learners also have succeeded in educational psychology researches. Many of them followed the Gardner's motivation theory and his socio-educational model. There are also many challenges in this aspect.This study takes the quantitative approach. Through the motivation research on freshmen English learning, the author wants to find out the cause of the low motivation in English learning of freshmen. Through this study, the author wants to find out an effective way to motivate student's English learning. This can be used in improving English teaching. Motivation is a flexible factor in learner's character. The second language learning motivation researches are related to each other but emphasized on different aspects. In order to explain clearly and be more understandable, the first chapter introduces the concept and theory of motivation from the educational psychology aspect. Then, learning motivation theory was reviewed. After that, the author reviewed the theories and approaches related to the second language learning both abroad and at home.The second chapter is a quantity approach about English learning motivation. Based on former researcher's investigation, combined with teaching experiences, this part designed a questionnaire about freshmen's English learning motivation. The 160 students being tested are from a college of Jilin university. They are majored in software and electronic business. The study firstly analyzed the motivation components from different grades. Try to find out the difference between freshmen and students from higher grades. Then it focuses on the freshmen, especially lower level students. The study tries to find out the cause of the low motivation on lower level freshmen and a solution towards different problems.In the third part, the author combined the teaching practice, gave some suggestions to motivated lower level English learners. The study is a quantitative approach towards lower level freshmen based on the motivation theory. It may have some efforts on English teaching.