STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION IN LEARNING ENGLISH DURING PANDEMIC

COVID-19

Nadila Munthasiryah

IBN Khaldun University, English Education Department

E-mail: nmunthasiryah@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine students' motivation towards learning English during the pandemic.
This study uses 6 students as subjects of regular 3B English language education students at Ibn Khaldun
University Bogor for the 2020/2021 academic year, and the object of this study is student motivation. This study
uses an online interview method through the WhatsApp application. The results of online interviews through the
WhatsApp application were concluded and categorized based on research questions. 4 students thought that the
pandemic had an effect on learning English. 6 students agreed that motivation had an effect on learning English
during the Covid-19 pandemic. Each student has their own motivation in learning English during the Covid-19
pandemic.

Keyword: motivation, English, Pandemic, Covid-19

INTRODUCTION

Since the government announced the first case of Corona virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) in
March 2020 ago, then Indonesia is faced with a pandemic. Covid-19 spreads very quickly to
almost all countries, including Indonesia. To anticipate the transmission of the virus, the
government set regulations such as social distancing, physical distancing, to Large-scale
Social Restrictions. These regulations affect all sectors in Indonesia, especially the education
sector.

English is a universal language because it is used by most of the countries in the world as the
main language. Although in Indonesia English is a foreign language, it has an important
position in the daily life of our society. We can see it in the world of education in Indonesia.
English is one of the subjects taught to students from elementary to college level. English
lessons are categorized as quite difficult lessons. Students who have a high motivation in
learning will bring them to a high level of success especially if it is accompanied by
motivation that comes from students, and student who haven’t a high interest in learning will
bring them to the opposite position. While in reality many students are less interested in
learning and do not have high motivation to study English subjects.

Schools and colleges are forced to stop face-to-face learning to avoid crowds that spread
Covid-19. Instead, the government applies learning from home rules. In Law No. 20 of 2003
article 1 (15), explain that distance learning is education which students are separated from
educators and learning uses various learning resources through information and
communication technology, and other media. Which distance education emphasizes students
to learn more independently. Because distance learning is done without having to attend or
come to school, then the freedom of time to learn is fully controlled by students. However,
students have problems with this distance learning, such as situations at home that are not
conducive, new learning methods require students to adapt, so students lose motivation to
learn. Student learning motivation is one of the determining factors in learning success
(Yohanes Joko Saptono, 2016). Usually, students who have high learning motivation tend to
be more diligent. Motivation and sincerity in learning makes them get good grades and more
understand of the material. according to Oemar Hamalik, the role of motivation is very
important and greatly influences the process of learning activities. Based on the opinion of
Kompri (2016), learning motivation is a developing of psychology, which is influenced by
the physical and psychological conditions of students. According to him there are several
things that affect motivation in learning, including:

1. Student aspirations,
2. Student ability,
3. Student condition,
4. Student environmental conditions.

In the other side, according to Arden N. Frandsen there are several things that affect
student learning motivation, including:

1. Curiosity to continue to learn and explore the world,

2. Creative nature and desire to progress,
3. Desire to get a sense of care from family, and the environment,
4. Desire to improve themselves with cooperation and competition,
5. Desire to master the lesson,
6. There is appreciation at the end of the lesson

METHOD

This research method is qualitative research. Researcher used data collection techniques,
namely qualitative methods, by interviewing sources online through the online conversation
application, WhatsApp. This research was conducted in January 2022, while the place of
research is Ibn Khaldun University for the 2021/2022 academic year. The population in this
study are 5 regular class B students in the 3rd semester majoring in English Education, and 1
regular class C student in the 3rd semester majoring in Management.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Based on research results from online interviews related to learning motivation during the
pandemic, 4 responders from 6 responders argue that the pandemic does not have any effect
on learning English. They still learn English both before the pandemic or during the
pandemic. 2 other responders argue that the pandemic have an impact on learning English.
They learn English more often during the pandemic than before the pandemic. This is
because they spent a lot of time at home so they learn English from home. It's different when
they are not at home, they will not learn English outside the home.
6 responders from 6 responders agree that motivation have an effect on learning English.
They say that their enthusiasm to learn English comes from the motivation they have. With
the motivation also makes them have a reason to keep learning English. Without motivation,
it will certainly make the process of learning English become bored quickly.

Based on the results of online interviews via WhatsApp. These 6 responders have different
motivations for learning English during this pandemic, including the following:

1. Motivation to learn English during the pandemic come from wanting to keep up
following the times. As we know English is the main language in technological
progress.
2. The motivation to learn English during the pandemic comes from the circle of friends.
Living in an environment that requires using English certainly demands to learn
English.
3. The motivation to learn English during the pandemic comes from the love of English.
The love of learning languages makes a person continue to learn languages even
during a pandemic.
4. The motivation to learn English during the pandemic came from a dream to become
an English teacher. Being an English teacher certainly requires him to continue to
learn English during the pandemic.
5. The motivation to learn English during a pandemic comes from the desire to
communicate. Language is a tool for communication. So, that the information
received and to be conveyed can be delivered properly, language skills are needed.
This is used as an excuse to learn English even during the pandemic.