Instrumental Motivation and L2 Speaking Achievement of Indonesian L2 Learners of English: A Survey Study

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the level of instrumental motivation among Indonesian university students learning English as a second or foreign language and examined how it impacts learners’ speaking achievements. Participants included 188 students majoring in non-English disciplines. Through descriptive statistics, the study found that learners had a generally high level of instrumental motivation. They reported high motivation levels linked to academic success, overseas vacations, self-improvement, and notably, future career prospects. Despite this general trend, their motivation to learn English to gain respect was rather low. Through a bivariate linear regression, the study further found that learners’ instrumental motivation barely influenced their L2 speaking achievement contributing to only 0.3% of the variance. These findings suggest nuanced pedagogical implications, underscoring the need for targeted motivational strategies in language education. Further research is recommended to explore these dynamics in different contexts.