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Vol. 3 No. 4 (2026): October

Copyright (c) 2026 Qudratullah Kaihan

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Predictors of Motivation for English Language Learning among University Students in Helmand Province, Afghanistan

https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v3i4.285
Qudratullah Kaihan
Bost University, Department of BBA, Faculty of Economics, Helmand, AF

Corresponding Author(s) : Qudratullah Kaihan

qudratkaihan@gmail.com

Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vol. 3 No. 4 (2026): October

Abstract

Although English is taught in Afghan universities, the factors that motivate students in Helmand Province to learn it remain under-researched. This study examined how intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and English learning confidence shape overall motivation to learn English in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. A quantitative correlational design was used to collect data through a structured questionnaire from 324 male students across four universities (Helmand University, Bost University, Arakozia University, and Wadie Helmand University) using multi-stage stratified random sampling. Each construct was measured using five items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The study used descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, paired-sample t-test, and multiple regression. The results indicated high overall motivational levels (M = 4.39, SD = 0.63), and intrinsic motivation (M = 4.38, SD = 0.53) was significantly higher than extrinsic motivation (M = 3.95, SD = 0.83), t = 10.03, p <. 001. The correlational analysis revealed a significant positive correlation among all variables (p < .001), and English learning confidence had the strongest correlation with overall motivation (r = .623). The multiple regression analysis indicated that the three predictors explained 45.4% of the variance in overall motivation (R2 =.454). The findings suggest that while both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are important, students in the target universities are highly influenced by internal factors. This study emphasizes the importance of psychological factors in sustaining motivation among university students in Helmand Province.

Keywords

English Language Extrinsic Motivation Intrinsic Motivation Learning Confidence
Kaihan, Q. (2026). Predictors of Motivation for English Language Learning among University Students in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(4), 1085–1098. https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v3i4.285
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