Cambodian students' motivation in the learning English language: A small-scale survey at a private high school in Phnom Penh

Authors

  • Sereyrath Em The National University of Cheasim Kamchaymear
  • Minea Yun The University of Cambodia
  • Brak Dorn Royal University of Phnom Penh
  • Vannak Sao Royal University of Phnom Penh
  • Pheara Sin Kratie Town High School

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33474/j-reall.v3i2.16764

Keywords:

cambodia, motivation, high school students, teaching techniques, learning skills

Abstract

English has become the world's language, and it has been used by many people in different countries as a means of international communication. Motivation to learn English has been seen as the most important factor contributing to the success of students' learning. The current study employed a quantitative design and was conducted to find out the motivation levels of students studying English as a foreign language at a private high school in Phnom Penh. 60 students participated in a survey after we sought agreement from school principals and teachers of English there. The findings show that the students in the studied context were more extrinsically motivated to learn English rather than intrinsically. The sum of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations also revealed students' moderate motivation to learn English. Due to the small scale of the survey study, a future study should be conducted with larger sample size and at other educational institutions across Cambodia. Qualitative and mixed-methods designs are also highly recommended.

Author Biographies

Sereyrath Em, The National University of Cheasim Kamchaymear

Sereyrath Em is Cambodian a government teacher of English with a higher education degree working at Kith Meng Brasat high school, a visiting lecturer at the National University of Cheasim Kamchaymear (NUCK), a Reviewer at Forum for International Research in Education (FIRE), and an Associate Editor at the Cambodian Education Forum (CEF). Prior to this, he was a secondary school teacher of English and Khmer language working at Darakum lower-secondary school between 2012 and 2015. In 2017, he graduated with a Master's Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA in TESOL) from Human Resource University (HRU), and in 2019, he graduated with a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from National Institute of Education (NIE) with the support from Cambodia International Education Support Foundation (CIESF). He was also trained at Regional Language Center (RELC) two times between early 2020 and early 2021 with regards to teaching listening, speaking, reading, and writing. His research interests include English language teaching, teaching methodology, educational management, educational leadership, learning and teaching motivation, and learning and teaching challenges. Currently, he is a PhD student in Educational Administration at the University of Cambodia (UC), Cambodia.

 

Minea Yun, The University of Cambodia

 

 

Brak Dorn, Royal University of Phnom Penh

 

 

Vannak Sao, Royal University of Phnom Penh

 

 

Pheara Sin, Kratie Town High School

 

 

 

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Published

2022-08-10

How to Cite

Em, S., Yun, M., Dorn, B., Sao, V., & Sin, P. (2022). Cambodian students’ motivation in the learning English language: A small-scale survey at a private high school in Phnom Penh. Journal of Research on English and Language Learning (J-REaLL), 3(2), 104–114. https://doi.org/10.33474/j-reall.v3i2.16764