SCHOOL MOTIVATION AND ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENTS IN SECONDARY EDUCATION

This paper aims to analyse the importance of intrinsic motivation factors as determinants of academic achievement in English as a Foreign Language (EFL). The general aim of the present study has been to analyse the existing relationship between students' academic motivation and performance. This paper explores the importance of motivational variables for school achievement. In particular, the present study suggests that students with a higher intrinsic motivation to learn English will achieve better grades in this subject. Participants were 542 students (male and female) of Secondary Education. Results show that there is a correlation between academic goals and academic results; in particular an association exists between learning goals (intrinsic motivation) and a high academic achievement. With regards to the importance of intrinsic motivational factors, this study concludes that these factors are determinants of academic achievement in English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Therefore, results are useful in view of improving the process of teaching/learning EFL. The relevant conclusion reached here point to the academic goals as being indicator of and decisive factor for academic achievement.