ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION IN CHOOSING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSE AT NON-AFFILIATED DEPARTMENTS

Abstract

The paper focuses on studying students’ motivation when they sign up for a foreign language course at the non-affiliated departments at the Faculty of Philosophy, Niš. These courses are created with the conviction that they will develop motivation for foreign language learning if they are better suited to students’ interests and needs. The paper deals with students’ behaviour during the English language course at the non-affiliated departments and with their attitudes towards the course they chose. This course is often conceived as English for specific purposes (ESP). Students’ behaviour and motivation during the English language course will be determined on the basis of the complex dynamic systems theory. This theory is based on the assumption that students’ motivation depends on personal interest and students’ engagement during the English language course, but also on the dynamic factors in the classroom. The paper is based on the results of a questionnaire and observations made during the course. The results show that most students sign up for the English language course because of the contents of the course and that most students want to acquire general knowledge of English language and culture during the course.