A Research On The English Learning Motivation Of College Arts And Sports Majors

Motivation is proved to be one of the vital factors in the learning process. It is regarded as a predictor of language learning. In China, English is now the main second language to Chinese learners. English learning motivation, as one of the most important and complex psychological factors of individual learners, directly affects learners’ enthusiasm, initiative, persistence and efforts, which have great impact on their English ability.The college students of art and sport majors are a special group. English leaning is a common weak point for them. Most of them had not done well in English in the College Entrance Examination. Even in college English is their weakest subject. It is of significance to do a research to investigate their English learning motivation so as to better understand their motivational intensity, motivation types, and the features of motivation concerning different student groups. In addition, inspiration can be drawn from the research on how to improve their English learning motivation.The topic is in accordance to theories related to motivation and on the basis of previous researches.116Arts and Sports major students from School of Music, Academy of Fine Arts and School of Physical Education of Guangxi Normal University have been investigated on English learning motivation by questionnaires. There are three main questions of the research:1) What is the situation of EFL motivational intensity of college arts and sports students?2) What are the features of their motivational types?3) What are the differences in types of motivation concerning students of different groups? It can be concluded after researches and analysis that:1.The English learning motivational intensity of Arts and Sports majors students of Guangxi Normal University is not strong.2. Their motivation types are complex, focusing on instrumental motivation.3. Students of different groups’ motivation types have differences as well as similarities. In the aspect of personal development and information media motivations, urban students’ English learning motivation is stronger than that of rural students. As for motivations of social responsibility, personal development and information medium, female students’ English learning motivation is stronger than that of male students. And there is no significant difference in the level of motivation among students coming from different majors.The thesis finally puts forward some suggestions. It suggests to improve students’ self-confidence and learning environment, strengthen teachers’ ability, and improve teaching methods and teaching environment. Therefore, English teachers can grasp the characteristics of this kind of students to improve teaching mode and create a good learning atmosphere for students.