Learning English language in primary school: Motivational factors and their role in management strategies

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the level of intrinsic motivation of primary-school-age children alongside the factors that influence these levels when learning English.

Design/methodology/approach

This goal was reached through a study that was conducted in four educational establishments of Tyumen. The study benefits from qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative part consists of an experiment in a group setting. Two groups of students were learning under two different programmes and the teachers were making records of student outcomes, interest in learning and motivation. The findings demonstrate that the level of motivation/interest is higher when interactive techniques (appropriate for the age of students) are in use. The quantitative part involved a survey to identify intrinsic motivations by completing which the students revealed high and medium levels of motivation/interest to learn.

Findings

The findings can be used when updating or re-designing education programmes and when creating new methods for teaching English in Russian educational establishments.

Originality/value

Giving the schoolchildren a motivation to learn is, without any exaggeration, one of the central problems in modern school. Teaching English as a foreign language to students of younger age (schoolchildren) requires a special approach due to special psychological and mental characteristics that these students have. The scholars have established that learning of foreign languages happens best at a very young age. However, without proper methods of teaching, teachers will not be able to reach the learning objectives, which they were attempting to reach. The reason for this effect is simple. The way the subject is taught is expected to spark interest but with the lack of interest in the subject, students will not feel sufficiently motivated to actually learn something. Hence, motivation is essential for learning any foreign language. In the home setting, motivation to learn, as well as a positive learning environment, is the responsibility of parents.

Citation

Shilova, L., Masterskikh, S., Mensh, E. and Zemlyanova, M. (2020), "Learning English language in primary school: Motivational factors and their role in management strategies", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 34 No. 9, pp. 1475-1489. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-03-2019-0115