The Impact of English Language Testing on Motivation and Learning Strategies: An Empirical Study

Abstract

Motivation refers to "he effort which learners put into learning a second language (L2) as a result of their need or desire to learn it" and learning strategies "account for how learners acquire and automatize L2 skills and knowledge" (Ellis 1994 :712, 715). The paper explores the role of English language testing in the EFL learners' motivation and their preference for particular learning styles. The data and information were elicited through interviews, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and observation of 10 EFL Classes. The study was primarily qualitative. However, in some cases Statistical analysis was made to identify if there was any general pattern of behavior and Chi Square test was used to find out whether motivation and learning styles varied according to gender variables. The results show that testing exerts significant influence on what, why, and how learners will learn English as a Foreign language (EFL).