Abstract:Learning motivation, a strong power to stimulate and direct student to learn, is an intrinsic reason to drive students’ learning activities. Especially the motivation for English learning is a key factor which affects students’ learning activities. Only if the learning motivation is clear, will learning effect be improved. The author made an investigation among college students about their motivation of English learning. The aim of the research is to make clear the college students’ motivation for English learning. Learning motivation of college students nowadays is not clear. Most of them study English in order to find a better job or obtain varied certificates. Through the investigation, the author presents the strategies for teachers to stimulate students’ learning motivation so that they can improve their learning effect.

Key words: college students; motivation for English learning; English learning

中文摘要:学习动机是推动学生学习的一种内在动力，是激发和引导学生学习的力量。尤其英语学习动机，是学生学习活动的主要因素。只有明确的学习动机，学习效率才会得到提高。笔者对高校学生展开了关于英语学习动机的调查。调查目的是了解高校学生的英语学习动机状况，并提出激发学习动机的策略。通过调查得知高校学生的英语学习动机并不明确，许多学生学习英语是为了找到好工作或获得各种证书。针对高校学生的动机状况，提出老师应该如何激发学生的英语学习动机的方法，从而提高学习效率。

关键词：高校学生; 英语学习动机; 英语学习