Entry #1: Research Topic

Hi!

I've been blogging for 8 years yet it's more on my personal thoughts and views. That is why it takes me days to get started, writing this entry.

Better late than never, right?

So, before I decide on my research topic, I need to think on area that I would love to touch on.

Motivation. Yes. Even during my interview, when the interviewer asked me what I wanted to do for my research proposal, I did mention about motivation.

I always believe that motivation plays an important and crucial role in determining someone's success. 

It's like behind a successful man, there is a woman; thus, behind a great man lies a great motivation.

I've been teaching for two years now and I notice that my students are very reluctant to speak in English. The most crucial moment was when I started teaching, in 2012. The students even asked me to speak in Malay while teaching them English. I tried my best to get them to talk in English, regardless of their grammar mistakes. I also came up with my own program, which is English Time Zone, where the students have to speak in English during recess time, no matter where they are. I realize that it starts to show some changes and improvement in their willingness to at least try to speak using English.  But of course, there are still other students who I find reluctant to speak. Even when I asked them or spoke to them. So, I wonder what are the things that affect their motivation in using English as L2, orally.

What is motivation?

There are two types of motivation which are intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.


Extrinsic motivation means someone is motivated by outside factors like for the sake of getting rewards or praises from others.
Meanwhile, intrinsic motivation means what motivates a person comes form within the person himself or herself.

There are two theories that could help me to understand more on motivation concept.

Well, I am familiar with the Maslow's theory before but I have never came across Herzberg's theory. I guess I'll have to read more on the theory.

I guess I'll stop now.

Before that, I would to end my entry with this quote.