EFL Motivation of Japanese Junior High School Students in a Monocultural Environment

Abstract

This paper examines the motivational factors influencing junior high school students’desire to study English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Kochi, Japan. Kochi has one of the lowest proportions of non-Japanese residents in Japan, which may impact the motivation of students to study English as they may have very little need to speak English outside the classroom. To better understand the types of motivations for learning English in mandatory English language classes, a survey of 160 second- and third-year students at a public junior high school is analyzed. The results show high levels of both instrumental and extrinsic motivation among the students surveyed. In addition, anxiety was not a significant issue among the students surveyed. The paper concludes with general recommendations regarding how regular English teachers and foreign Assistant Language Teachers can best motivate students.