Achievement Motivation Across Gender and Academic Level of Students at Islamic Institute of Education in China

Abstract

The issue of achievement motivation plays a major role among language learners. It is usually defined as the learner’s orientation with regard to the goal of learning a second language. As a basic ingredient of L2 acquisition, achievement motivation has been considered significant since a long time. This paper aims at examining differences in achievement motivation among educational level and gender of students at Institute of Education in China, which provide Arabic language as the second language learning. They provide a three years education for diploma degree. Their aim is to create practical special talents who are competent for jobs in foreign affairs, foreign trade, international cultural communication, management of enterprises, press, publication, foreign language teaching and studies of foreign problems etc. The researchers have modified the achievement motivation questionnaire, which consists of 38 items divided into five domains: Perseverance, Competition, Self-confidence, Recognize the importance of time, the desire to master the work and enjoy it. The researcher has been selected a random sample of (229) Chinese students who are studying Arabic language in Islamic institutions in China. The results explain that Chinese students achieved a degree in Medium of achievement motivation. Male and female students differed significantly on achievement motivation. Female is better than male in achievement motivation in areas of perseverance, self-confidence, Recognize the importance of time, the desire to master the work and enjoy it. It shows also that there is significant difference among educational level on achievement motivation. Level 4 students are much better than other level of students in achievement motivation in areas of perseverance, Competition, self-confidence, the desire to master the work and enjoy it. This shows the development of the student’s achievement motivation thorough studies.

Keywords: Achievement motivation, Gender, and academic level