Interest in English Literary Context: A Motivation Variable in Learning the English Language Effectively

Motivation is an internal impulse that brings us to complete an action. Without motivation, there is no action (Cerdán, 2017). Motivation has been a well-known factor that contributes to the learning-process of students in learning the English Language. However, there are students that do not have the interest, which comes with motivation, in learning the English literary context that comes as an indispensable part in learning the language. Interest in the English Literary Context is a motivational variable that can easily engage students in instruction and perform well in academics. Therefore, this study attempted to look at the perception of the respondents to learn the English language effectively if they were to be interested in the context that makes up English literature and how it became an effective motivational variable in English language learning. To this end, 50 Grade 9 students from the chosen national high school were given questionnaires who acquired their perceptions towards the interest to the English literary context as a motivational variable. The respondents were selected via purposive sampling. They chose specific topics and activities that constituted to the English literature of their interests and rated statements in accordance to their agreeability or disagreeability level ranging from four to one. The results of the study indicate that the academic performances and classroom engagements of the Grade 9 pupils are affected by their interest in the English literary context and is indeed an effective motivational variable in English language learning. From these, the researcher recommended the students and teachers to learn more about other authors and genres in English literature and to engage more in activities that can increase interest to the English literary context.