An Analysis of Demotivation in College English Major Learning

Abstract：Learning demotivation is increasingly remarkable in current college English majors.Consequently，investigating the causes of learning demotivation is becoming urgent.It is hoped that the demotivating factors analyzed in this paper can offer insights to diminish or overcome demotivation in English major learning，and consequently provide references for college English teachers to improve their English teaching.

Key words：English majors；learning demotivation；demotivating factors

1 Introduction

With the continuous development of globalization，English language learning have been paid close attention ever since before.The number of students who major in English are constantly increasing.However，it is reported that students in colleges nowadays，especially in English major，are losing their motivation to learn English.This phenomenon inevitably bothers numerous English teachers in college a lot.

2 Definition of Demotivation

Demotivation is a relatively new issue in the field of English language learning.A widespread definition of demotivation，according to Dornyei，mentions that“specific external forces that reduce or diminish the motivational basis of a behavioral intention or an ongoing action”（Dornyei，2001，p.46）.In our country，It is proposed that“Demotivation refers to a negative state that learning motivation diminishes as specific internal and external factors”（Zhou&Wang;，2012，p.49）.

3 Demotivating Factors in College English Major Learning

Demotivating factors can be both internal and external.As for internal factors，first，lack of learning aptitude is believed to be one of the most influential factors of demotivation in English language learning.There are still some students who show low abilities in English learning.In addition，lack of intrinsic motivation is another investigating internal factor.Learners who are less intrinsically motivated will not show high enthusiasm when learning English.

Speaking of external factors，learning contents and materials are constantly indispensable factors affecting learnersEnglish learning motivation（Gao，Liu&Wang;，2014；Sun&Lei;，2013；Tang，2012；Zhou&Wang;，2012）.Topics or passages in college textbooks are often inappropriate，either too boring，or so old-fashioned that diverge learnersdaily life，for English majors to get knowledge of English well，which undoubtedly does harm to learnerslearning enthusiasm.What is more，poor methods of teaching and very demanding and strict teachers were explored to reduce or diminish studentsmotivation to learn English（Falout&Elood;，2009）.In addition，incongruous evaluation system can also affect learning motivation.Traditionally summative evaluation is conducted solely in college English learning evaluation，neglecting learnersusual performance in classrooms.Finally，inadequate teaching facilities and ill usage of these facilities by teachers can significantly restrict the learning motivation of English majors.

4 Conclusion

In recent years，learners show less motivation to learn English language well progressively.This phenomenon disturbs quite a great number of college English teachers considerably.In this study，several demotivators extracted，collectively result in learnersdemotivation in college English major.It is hoped that this paper can contribute to providing college English teachers with references to some degree to get knowledge of why learners in English majors are increasingly demotivated in recent years，thus adopting coping strategies to reduce or diminish learnerslearning demotivation in English majors.

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作者簡介

梁引倩（1994—），女，碩士研究生，陜西師范大學，學科教學（英語）。