The Effects of Syllabus-based General English Language Teaching on Learning English Language Motivation, Attitude and Self-efficacy in Students of Birjand University of Medical Sciences

One of the goals of learning the English language is communication with others. But despite the fact that Iranian students have been learning languages for many years, few are successful in acquiring relative skills in the English language. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of syllabus-based English language teaching on students’ English language motivation, attitude and self-efficacy. This study is conducted using an exploratory mixed methods approach. Of the 202 students of Birjand University of Medical Sciences who selected general language course, thirty medical students were selected through convenience sampling. Data was gathered using Gardner's questionnaire on attitude and motivation in learning English and Wang’s questionnaire on self-efficacy in learning English. The quantitative analysis was done through paired t and the qualitative analysis was performed via qualitative and interpretive content analysis based on Heidegger’s model including three steps of open, centralized, and axial coding steps. The results obtained from the quantitative data showed that the general English course has no effect on students’ English language motivation, attitude and self-efficacy. analyzing the qualitative data revealed that students overall believed that the general English course has not any effect on English language motivation, attitude, and self-efficacy. According to the results, it seems that the teaching methods, design and planning of the English language course and the methods of evaluation and implementation of it require a fundamental change. Considering the key role of the professor, attention to the ability of the professors of the English language course is necessary.