Investigating Iraqi Primary School Pupils’ Motivation, Attitude and Thinking towards Learning English as a Foreign Language

Abstract

               It is argued that attitude is a key factor in motivating children to learn English as a foreign language. This study examines the motivation and attitudes of 8–9-year-old Iraqi children toward learning English in a foreign language context. A paper-based instrument was used instead of a face-to-face interview with the researcher so as to minimize the unequal power relationship and to encourage the pupils to express their opinions freely. The study was designed to address the following questions :(1) What are the learners’ motives to learn English at different stages of their lives?;(2) What kind of attitudes do they have towards learning English?;(3) What do the learners think about things that hinder or help them most while learning?;(4) What do the learners like and dislike in their language learning? ; (5) Is there a difference between early beginners and late beginners in their perception of language learning?. sixty four pupils were interviewed in groups of 4 to be 8 groups all from third and fourth classes where they referred to as ‘early beginners’ and ‘late beginners’ respectively. Four primary schools have been selected (two for girls and two for boys) which all have a good infrastructure ,  and well trained teachers. The schools are located in Babylon Governorate /Iraq. The findings indicate that the pupils their primary focus was learning the language in its most basic form, i.e. the names of objects in their immediate surroundings, as well as an opportunity to travel abroad or find employment as adults.