English language learning motivation of students at the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania in Miercurea Ciuc

Aim. The present research aims to explore the English language learning motivation of students at the Sapientia University, Faculty of Economics, Socio-Human Sciences and Engineering, Miercurea-Ciuc (Csíkszereda).Method. 103 students took part in the exploratory research where an online questionnaire containing 50 statements was used to find out students’ motivations to learn English, focusing on seven different motivational factors (instrumentality, desire to become a global citizen, ideal foreign language self, desire for self-satisfaction, attitudes towards learning English, cultural integration and ought-to foreign language self).Results and conclusion. Results show that instrumental motivation has a strong effect on the surveyed students as they are highly motivated by the idea of getting a well-paying job with the help of their English language knowledge. Moreover, we also found out that participant students do not want to integrate within a native English-speaking community; they do not want to speak the language as native speakers, they rather aim to become global citizens with English.Cognitive value. The results of this exploratory research might offer valuable insight into students’ language learning motivation. Therefore, the study might be helpful for university teachers to have detailed information and a clearer picture of their students’ language learning motivations.