A Study Of Learning Motivation In English Learning For Low Achievers In Junior High Schools

English has been drawing more individuals' attention,for it is not only a tool for people all over the world to communicate but also one of the necessary conditions to go to the world.English education plays a very important role in our education system.Junior high school is the basic stage for students to learn English.The students have strong plasticity at this stage.However,they will be affected by many factors in the process of English learning,which may lead to low scores in some students? learning.In teaching practice,many students who have difficulty in English learning are usually called "low achievers".Both cognitive and affective factors have an effect on students' learning.Learning motivation is an important factor,which plays a decisive role in the success of students' learning.Hence,this study focuses on students' learning motivation by using questionnaires,personal interviews with the purpose of knowing about and analyzing types of students? learning motivation in junior high school and motivational factors that affect their English learning on the basis of some related theories.The study is going to answer the following two questions:(1)What are characteristics of learning motivation for low achievers in junior high schools?(2)What are factors that affect learning motivation for low achievers?According to the data analysis,the following main findings can be obtained:(1)The instrumental motivation for low achievers in junior high school is obviously higher than the integrative motivation.To be specific,students learn in order to achieve their intended goals,such as getting a good job,passing an exam or entering a satisfactory senior high school.Extrinsic motivation is stronger than intrinsic motivation.That is to say,excellent examination results,rewards from others are main motives for them to learn.(2)The main motivational factors that affect learning for low achievers are:students' learning interest;learning attitude;learning strategies;learning attribution;students? self-confidence and self-efficacy;relationships between teachers and students;parental care.According to the results of the study,the author puts forward some pedagogical suggestions on how to stimulate and maintain learning motivation for low achievers so as to improve their English scores:(1)suggestions for teachers: cultivating interest and stimulating learning motivation for low achievers in junior high school;improving teachers? ability;establishing a good relationship between teachers and students;helping students form positive attribution towards success and failure and so forth.(2)suggestions for students: taking a correct attitude towards English learning;developing interest in learning,exploring effective learning strategies;enhance self-efficacy,etc.