The Relationship between Motivation and performance of the second secondary students at the government schools in Nablus

The Relationship between Motivation and performance of the second secondary students at the government schools in Nablus

Zajel / An-Najah National University

Aida “Mohammad Ali” Bakir             The present study aimed at investigating five main topics: First; finding out whether there is a relationship between students’ achievement in English and their motivation toward learning English as a foreign language. Second; finding out whether there is a significant relationship between the attitude of students towards the textbooks used and their interest in learning English as a foreign language. Third; finding out whether the interaction between sex and motivation has a significant effect on the achievement level of English language at the end of the compulsory cycle. Fourth; to find out whether the instrumental motivation has an effect on the social advantages of learning English. Fifth; finding out the level to which students’ attitude towards the English language teacher affect students’ interest in learning English as a foreign language. For these aims, the researcher prepared an achievement test of English language and two questionnaires; a students questionnaire, and a teacher questionnaire, which were distributed among the students. The sample of the study consisted of 240 students who were registered at Al-Tawjihi level in Nablus governmental schools, and 9 teachers who were asked to investigate the effect of the English language teacher on his students’ motivation. The finding of the achievement test emphasized the need for motivation in indicating that it is fundamental in explaining the success or failure of learning the foreign language. Findings showed a difference in achievement and the level of motivation between boys and girls in learning the foreign language. Aida “Mohammad Ali” Bakir Superviser Dr. Suzanne Arafat 1996