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.