SU YON YIM (CHINJU NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION)

CONTRASTING EFFECTS ON ENGLISH LEARNING MOTIVATION: THE DECLINE THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION VERSUS RENEWAL VIA AI : METHODOLOGIES AND TEACHING APPROACHES

This study examines how a Korean student's motivation to learn English changes over a 14-year period from primary school to university. A qualitative method was used to assess changes in a student's motivation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participant about her motivation to learn English at each change of school level from 2011 to 2024 to further investigate her experiences and changes in motivation. The results showed a consistent decline in motivation over time until she entered university. When the student first entered primary school, she viewed English primarily as a tool for communication and enjoyed learning it. However, as she entered middle and high school, her motivation to learn decreased as she shifted to perceiving English as an exam subject. This study shows how the intention of the curriculum to address English as a means of communication, and its actual implementation and evaluation in schools that promote academic competition, led to a decrease in a student's motivation to learn English. However, upon entering university, she gained more autonomy in her learning with the assistance of AI tools like ChatGPT, marking a new phase in her English education. The study offers insights into the factors affecting student motivation and suggests ways to support their ongoing English language learning.

Su Yon Yim has a PhD in TESOL for young learners from the University of Leeds and is currently working as an associate professor at Chinju National University of Education in South Korea. Her research interests are teacher identity and language policy.