Intrinsic motivation for English-speaking development in primary school

Resumo

The objective of this study is to determine the role of intrinsic motivation in the development of oral English skills in primary school. Previous studies have demonstrated that motivation is a key factor in the learning process, as it drives students to actively participate, persevere in the face of challenges, and find meaning in academic tasks. In the context of English as a foreign language, speaking is perceived as a crucial skill because it is a fundamental part of communication. However, it has been observed that elementary school students experience several difficulties in their academic performance. Some of these limitations include low motivation, limited vocabulary, and a lack of strategies and participation in speaking activities. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate intrinsic motivation and the development of oral expression using a mixed-methods approach with a descriptive design. The sample for this study consists of elementary school students from an educational institution in the El Carmen canton, Manabí province. Research instruments such as questionnaires, classroom observations, and interviews were used. The research results highlight that intrinsic motivation plays an important role in the development of oral expression, as it is associated with the satisfaction and enjoyment students experience during the learning process when participating in activities out of personal interest or for their own pleasure, which allows for deeper and more meaningful learning.