Motivation of students in ho chi minh city to learn a third foreign language

Abstract

In the era of globalization, foreign languages have become a crucial factor for success, facilitating the expansion of knowledge, international communication, and job searching. While learning a third language entails numerous benefits such as cultural understanding and increased employment opportunities, individual needs and circumstances must be carefully considered. This research utilizes a survey method to evaluate the correlation between three motivational scopes (learner level, language level, and learning situation level) and the intention to learn a third language among students in Ho Chi Minh City. The survey results indicate that the students have relatively positive learning motivations. Among the three motivational scopes, the language level exhibits the highest level of motivation, followed by the learning situation level and learner level. Within the motivation for learning a third language, the desire for career advancement opportunities is the factor that most significantly influences students' language learning. The study proposes solutions for students, lecturers, and schools to improve the motivation for learning a third language, including self-assessing motivation, building a suitable learning plan, and creating a suitable learning environment. For students, the study helps them to identify learning goals, seek opportunities to practice the language, and build a flexible learning plan. For lecturers and schools, the study helps them to customize teaching methods, create real-world opportunities for students, and build an engaging learning environment.