How to Enhance Students’ Motivation to Learn English as Second Language? A Case of a Pakistani Public University

Motivation is considered to be an important factor in enhancing young learners' performance and achievement in various areas of study. The learning of English as a second/foreign language is no exception in this regard. The present study also aims to explore various ways through which a sample of Pakistani students' motivation to learn English as a second language may be enhanced. The research design of this study is based on qualitative interpretivist approach. Semi structured interviews of undergraduate students of a public university were conducted which were transcribed and then analysed using content analysis. The participants revealed that the use of oral presentations, audio-video aids, activities based on real life situation and creative writing within English language classroom may enhance students' L2 motivation. They also appeared to prefer interactive techniques of teaching over traditional lecturing method used more frequently in Pakistani classrooms. The study suggests that educational policy makers and institutions may focus on the training and development of English language teachers so that they may be equipped with recent trends in language teaching.