Navigating Motivation: Freshmen’s Quest for English Proficiency in Taiwanese University Contexts

English language proficiency is crucial in today’s globalized world, prompting Taiwanese universities to mandate one to four years of English courses. With the implementation of a national bilingual education program for college students, universities aim to enhance English proficiency through Freshman English courses, facilitating a smooth transition to English-mediated instruction in subsequent years, particularly in specialized subjects. Despite the official emphasis on English’s importance for future success, the effectiveness of language instruction hinges on understanding students’ motivations. This study investigates English learning motivations among Taiwanese undergraduates, utilizing a Likert-scale questionnaire to discern general trends. The sample comprises 360 undergraduates from a northern Taiwanese university, with factor analysis revealing five motivational factors: intrinsic appreciation, instrumental motivation, external expectations motivation, exam-driven motivation, and interpersonal influence. These findings offer valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of English language learning motivations among Taiwanese freshmen, contributing to existing literature by highlighting nuanced motivational factors. The identified motivational factors hold implications for both theoretical understanding and pedagogical approaches, providing educators with insights to tailor instruction to students’ diverse motivations. This study aims to enrich the discourse on language learning motivation and serve as a foundation for future research in similar contexts.