The Influence of the Pandemic on the Motivation of EAP Learners in Studying IELTS

Abstract

Various sectors have been affected by the Covid-l9 pandemic, including education. Many institutions have not yet applied face-to-face learning in full to prevent the transmission of the virus. The aims of this study are (1) to examine the motivation of EAP learners to learn IELTS in online and offline classes during a pandemic on an English course, and (2) to identify changes in student motivation during the learning process that are affected by the pandemic situation. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method with a sampling technique in which students are sampled randomly. As many as 10 students have been taken as participants. Furthermore, a questionnaire has been used as a data collection method, and it has been shared through Google Forms. It consists of 25 statements divided based on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The result of it has been classified based on four learning motivation aspects by Gowing’s theory. Overall, the findings revealed that three of the four aspects of learning motivation are medium-level (49,4%) in this case. In conclusion, there is no substantial motivation for EAP pupils in the English learning process, specifically for IELTS in online and offline sessions, for an ongoing pandemic.