Correlation between English Proficiency (EP) and students^ motivation/attitude toward English Language Learning in non English Departments within Indonesia context
Kartika Nuswantara, Ratna Rintaningrum, Umi Trisyanti, Siti Zahrok

Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Creative Design and Business Digital
Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, Indonesia

Abstract

TAll Indonesian universities offers English language course as the compulsory subject in the graduate programs. English is important for future studies and employment, although students from departments other than English Department think differently. This study examines Indonesian university non-English Department students^ motivation and attitude to learn English. Motivation has always been a key aspect in English language acquisition (Gardner, 1985). This study examined the degree and character of integrative and instrumental motivation as well as the attitude toward English language learningin 135 Indonesian Non-English Department students. Multiple variations of Gardner^s Attitude/Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) (2004) were given. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the frequency, mean, and standard deviation of motivation orientations and attitude toward language learning, and test statistics with z-value were used to measure the correlation with English Proficiency as measured by EP scores. The major findings show that students are ^highly^ motivated to study English and have a good attitude. These characteristics do not correlate with English Proficiency. From the findings, some relevant and useful learning implications for student achievement were suggested. To improve language competency, variables other than motivation and attitude must be examined to provide students and teachers with a complete picture.

Keywords: Motivation, English Language Learning, integrative motivation, Attitude, Gardner^s AMTB

Topic: Development Studies and Humanities