Investigating Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations in the Tertiary Level EFL Learners:

A Survey Conducted on Private Universities in Bangladesh

Abstract

Motivations, both intrinsic and extrinsic, are known as stimulants for achieving success in EFL learning. As motivation is an individual learner difference, an EFL teacher’s first step is to investigate the learners’ motivational levels as well as types to understand the learners’ concerns for learning. This study investigates whether and to what extent tertiary level students studying at private universities in Bangladesh are intrinsically and extrinsically motivated. It also examines whether intrinsic or extrinsic is a more fruitful motivation that fosters them to get success in learning English. This study is based on a questionnaire survey. The subjects in this study are one hundred and thirty students of three private universities located in Dhaka. The results of the study are meant to bring a deep insight of their motivational levels regarding intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. The study also discusses the limitations of the findings along with the implication for further studies