Chapter 1

1.1 Introduction

English is a language spoken and written by many people around the world. It is
considered as one of the most important languages of the world and widely spoken across the
globe including the internet. English has wider distribution as compared to other spoken
language and it became an official language or special status in 75 countries. (Tony Reilly,
November 11, 2012,"English Changes Lives" The Sunday Times [UK]) English is the most
useful language to learn for international travel and de facto language of diplomacy. In todays
world, there are about 6000 languages used by the human population in the world. English has
become the single most dominant language use across the globe and has been spoken nearly
everywhere (Christine Kenneally, 2007, The First Word. Viking)

Malaysian Education system has exposed the learners in learning English Language for
approximately 11 years. However, there are a lot of student whom are unable to speak in English
after they left school. The marketplace also said that our Malays students especially are lack in
the language which failed them to be employed in an organization. The latest National Education
Blueprint (2013-2025) has called the importance of the language for immediate attention for low
proficiency students especially those located in rural or remote like FELDA. The problem may
start from the root as early as their pre-school time due to lack of motivation and some kind of
attitude problem towards the language.

However, apart from the mass failure there are some FELDA students whom are doing
well in the language. This study investigates a group of 10 FELDA origin students whom did
well in the language in terms of their motivation factors in learning the language. Motivation
plays as key factor that influence of rate and success of second language learning. Motivation
provides primary stimulus to initiate learning English and later the driving force to sustain the
long and dull learning process (Locke, E.1996) Motivational factors plays an important role on
academic achievement among student in general and English learners particularly. Intrinsic and
extrinsic motivation can be the driving factors in a student academic achievement in overall
(Lukmani, Y.M.1972) While vast studies covered the similar ground of motivation and attitude

1
towards learning English, limited study (such as Melor and Nur Rashidah, 2011) is devoted
towards primary school students living in rural areas. Data collected via interview, analyses and
will then shows the readers in which factors motivate them most.

1.2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

1.2.1 To study the motivational factors which drive these 10 people originated from
FELDA into learning the language

1.2 RESEARCH QUESTION

1.2.1 To what extend does teachers motivate Felda students in learning English language

1.2.2 To what extend does parents motivate Felda students in learning English language

1.2.3 To what extend does self-directed motivation motivate Felda students in learning

English language

1.2.4 To what extend does peers motivate Felda students in learning English language

1.2.5 How do these Felda students put their effort into learning English language

1.3 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION

In this research, motivation can be define as driving factors which initiate to action as
according to Dornyei (1998) and it can be classified into two categories which are intrinsic and
extrinsic. Learners desire were said a contribution factor in achieving an external reward
(Pittman and Bogianno, 1992). Studies in the Malaysian context suggest that Malaysian students
are generally more extrinsically rather than intrinsically motivated (Ainol Madziah and Isarji,
2009; Samsiah et al., 2009; Parilah, 2002; Thang, 2004). Studies carried out in another part of
the world yield similar results too (Liu, 2007; Gayton, 2010). Attitude and motivation towards
language learning are interconnected (Ellis, 1997). Both motivation and positive attitude need to
coexist in order to achieve a successful language learning experience (Gardner, 1985).This ideal
relationship is further highlighted by the researchers (Samsiah et al., 2009; Thang et al., 2011)

2
who propose that students with positive attitudes and high level of motivation will be more
successful compared to those with negative attitudes and low motivation.

Malaysia consists of different ethnics who provide a favorable environment for second
language learners. While multicultural society suggests advantages to students in developing
their proficiency; this situation is unlikely to occur to students living in rural area. FELDA is
referring to areas that are located in remote regions and are largely occupied by the Malays
where the need of English as a second language in everyday activities seems to be least
important. The problem of low proficiency in English is especially prominent in rural areas
where the failure rate in the English language subject is rather high (Rahimah et al., 2004).
Attitudes and motivation of students towards learning English is said to be among the factors to
low proficiency and passing rates in schools (Thang et al., 2011). While vast studies covered the
similar ground of motivation and attitude towards learning.English, limited study, (such as Melor
and Nur Rashidah, 2011) is devoted towards primary school students living in rural areas.

1.4 SETTING THE LIMIT/SCOPE OF STUDY

In this particular study, the researcher has set the limits which only look into motivational
factor which lead to a group of 10 origin student from FELDA to learn English language. This
study is using a qualitative method which is interviewing session via face to face, email and
Whatsapp application in gaining data upon completion the study.

1.5 LIMITATION OF STUDY

The researcher faced few limitations upon completion of this research. Researchers
finding is somewhat arguable because the sample chosen were very limited and it did not portray
a good research finding. Furthermore, geographically factor also becomes one of the researcher
barriers where most of the respondents were interviewed via email and mobile application. This
research also not has been conduct in long study due to limit of respondents candidates and time
factor.

3
1.6 SIGNIFICANT OF STUDY

This study will beneficial to readers especially amongst teachers and teachers candidate
in order to grab in a glance reasons or factors which lead to student performance in the language.
Most importantly for them to realize that these potentially students need to be discovered in
order for teachers to develop them. Furthermore, it study is significant toward general reader in
gaining knowledge as reading material and also, to beneficial to other researcher to better
improve upon to the research finding in a bigger scale of respondents.