Language Learning Motivation for the Class of 2002: Why First-Year Puerto Rican High School Students Learn English.
The purpose of this study was first, to discover the types of motivation to learn English present among the target population. The attempt was to isolate discreet clusters of motivation. Second, the study sought to investigate the relationship between type and strength of motivation. To accomplish such analysis, a scale was developed to measure the strength of motivation. A statistical analysis was carried out to see if any of the clusters of motivational type predicted strength of motivation. One hundred and fifty-six first-year public high school students in San Juan, Puerto Rico were asked to respond to a motivational scale and the strength of motivation scale. Factor analysis revealed two motivation clusters that resembled instrumental and integrative motivation. Both were found to contribute strongly to the learner's strength of motivation. It was concluded that English was perceived as having a utilitarian value, such as seeking employment and enhancing career opportunities. In addition, the learner...