Overall Motivation and the Promotion of EFL Learners ’ Oral Proficiency

Abstract—Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing concern for examining the human personality to find answers to language learning problems. As a result, good numbers of studies have focused on the crucial role that affective variables can play in the process of learning a second language. Among these variables, motivational factors are frequently recognized as potentially influential in successful L2 learning, especially in contexts or countries where there is no or little chance for learners to be in contact with the target language native speakers. Therefore, a consequent question is whether or not and to what extent motivation plays any role in developing learners ’ speaking proficiency in such particular contexts. More specifically, the present study investigates the degree of correlation between motivation and speaking proficiency in the Iranian EFL context. The result of the investigation conducted with Iranian lower intermediate English learners revealed that speaking abilities and motivation are positively and significantly correlated. Index Terms—affective factors, motivation, attitude, L2 proficienc