Comparative Research into Kazakhstan and American Master’s Students’ Motivation for Learning English Academic Writing (EFL/ESL)

Authors

  • Indira Dyussekeneva Department of Foreign and Russian Languages, Shakarim University, ave. Glinki, 20a, 071412, Semey, Kazakhstan
  • Adlet Kariyev Department of Primary Education, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, ave. Dostyk 13, 050010, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Randall William Sadler Illinois TESOL and ESL Programs, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, ave. S. Mathews 707, 61801, Urbana, IL, United States of America
  • Damir Dyussekenev Philology Department, Alikhan Bokeikhan University Pedagogical University, ave. Mangilik El, 11, 071400, Semey, Kazakhstan
  • Gulnar Zhumadilova Department of Foreign and Russian Languages, Shakarim University, ave. Glinki, 20a, 071412, Semey, Kazakhstan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.3.517.537

Keywords:

educational process, university, prestige motive, communication motive, work-oriented motivation, sexual differentiation

Abstract

Aim. is to conduct theoretical-empirical research into Kazakhstan and American Master’s students’ motivation for learning English academic writing (EFL/ESL) with regard to cross-cultural components and sexual differentiation.

Methods. The research involved 60 Master’s students (28 males and 32 females), pursuing a degree at Shakarim University (SU) (Semey, Kazakhstan) and 45 Master’s students (22 males and 23 females), pursuing a degree at the University of Illinois (UIUC) (Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA) aged 23 to 30. All the respondents were learning English academic writing (EFL/ESL). The research methods are as follows: “Diagnostics of Master’s Students’ Motivation to Study” Natalia Badmayeva (2004); “Motivation for Professional Activity” (Rean et al., 2006); “Diagnostics of the Individual’s Motivation Structure” Vitaliy Milman (1990).

Results. No difference was found between the Kazakhstan and American samples in cross-cultural aspects. A high level of the prestige motive (t = 1.943; p = .027; d = .401) was identified in the Kazakhstan male sample, which was the only superiority by sexual differentiation. Psychological correlations between the parameters of motivation for learning English academic writing and the parameters of professional motivation were established. Seventeen significant correlations were recorded: one direct correlation and sixteen inverse correlations. It was explained that the parameters of Master’s students’ learning motivation are stimuli of a conscious and purposeful desire to study and develop themselves. It was highlighted that such stimuli focus on the resultant and content components of the educational process.

Conclusions. Master’s students at both Universities of the examined samples prefer communication motive, social motive, prestige motive, learning-cognitive motive and comfort in learning English writing. The research findings should be implemented in the educational process at universities.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Badmayeva, N. T. (2004). Vliyaniye motivatsionnogo faktora na razvitiye umstvennykh sposobnosteĭ [The influence of motivational factors on the development of mental abilities]. Ulan-Ude. https://files.znu.edu.ua/files/Bibliobooks/Inshi/0003153.pdf

Budjalemba, A. S., & Listyani, L. (2020). Factors contributing to students difficulties in academic writing class: Students perceptions. UC Journal: ELT, Linguistics and Literature Journal, 1(2), 135–149.

Falah Alzubi, A. A., & Nazim, M. (2024). Students’ intrinsic motivation in EFL academic writing: Topic-based interest in focus. Heliyon, 10(1), Article e24169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24169

Fiddiyasari, A., & Pustika, R. (2021). Students’ motivation in English online learning during Covid-19 pandemic at SMA Muhammadiyah Gadingrejo. Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning, 2(2), 57–61. https://doi.org/10.33365/jeltl.v2i2.1217

Halian, I., Popovych, I., Hulias, I., Serbin, Iy., Vyshnevska, O., Kovalchuk, Z., & Pyslar, A. (2023). Correlation between personality traits of young athletes and their level of self- efficacy. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 23(5), 1119-1129.

Halian, I., Popovych, I., Vovk, V., Kariyev, A., Poleshchuk, L., & Halian, O. (2023). Correlation of the coach’s qualities and junior athletes’ self-efficacy. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 23(7), 1621-1630. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2023.07199

Hamzaoui, C. (2021). Scrutinizing Algerian EFL students’ challenges in research teaching and writing. Hungarian Educational Research Journal, 11(4), 478–488. https://doi.org/10.1556/063.2021.00047

Hoang, D. T. N., & Hoang, T. (2024). Enhancing EFL students’ academic writing skills in online learning via Google Docs-based collaboration: A mixed-methods study. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 37(7), 1504–1526. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2022.2083176

Kariyev, A., Baydjanov, B., Umnov, D., & Imankulova, M. (2024). Research on Relationships between self-esteem and social activeness of young people: Gender differentiation exemplified by the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan sample. Insight: The Psychological Dimensions of Society, 12, 358–377. https://doi.org/10.32999/2663-970X/2024-12-10

Kariyev, A., Orazbayeva, F., Imankulova, M., & Vasileva, V. (2024). Research on academic giftedness of future teachers. Insight: The Psychological Dimensions of Society, 11, 164–183. https://doi.org/10.32999/2663-970X/2024-11-9

Karpenko, Y., Savko, N., Lialiuk, Y., & Kolisnyk, R. (2024). Emotional intelligence in organization of the personality motivation structure. Insight: The Psychological Dimensions of Society, 11, 57–76. https://doi.org/10.32999/2663-970X/2024-11-4

Kernagaran, V., & Abdullah, A. (2022). A systematic literature review of flipped learning in English as second language (ESL) context. International Journal of Instruction, 15(2), 793–814. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2022.15243a

Kim, V. (2018). Technology-enhanced feedback on student writing in the English-medium instruction classroom. English Teaching, 73(4), 29–53. https://doi.org/10.15858/engtea.73.4.201812.29

Kobylarek, A., Alaverdov, E., & Jakubowska, L. (2021). The significance of a pandemic in teaching foreign languages, with special regard to the teaching of seniors. XLinguae, 14(1), 73–80. https://doi.org/10.18355/XL.2021.14.01.06

Kobylarek, A., Błaszczyński, K., Ślósarz, L., Madej, M., Carmo, A., Hlad, Ľ., Králik, R., Akimjak, A., Judák, V., Maturkanič, P., Biryukova, Y., Tokárová, B., Martín, J. G., & Petrikovičová, L. (2022). The quality of life among University of the Third Age students in Poland, Ukraine and Belarus. Sustainability, 14(4), 2049. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042049

Kobylarek, A., Plavčan, P., & Amini Golestani, T. (2021). Educational priorities in a post pandemic world. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 12(2), 5–11. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2021.2.5.11

Kurova, A., Popovych, I., Hrys, A., Koval, I., Pavliuk, M., Polishchuk, S., & Kolly-Shamne, A. (2023). Dispositional optimistic and pessimistic mental states of young athletes: gender differentiation. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 23(4), 857–867. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2023.04109

Laksmi, N. K. P., Yasa, I. K. A., & Mirayani, K. A. M. (2021). The use of animation video as learning media for young learners to improve EFL students’ motivation in learning English. Lingua, 17(1), 42–52. https://doi.org/10.34005/lingua.v17i1.1378

Lee, T. S. O., & Lin, L. H. F. (2022). Motivational strategies adopted in postgraduate English academic writing courses: Perspectives of doctoral students. Sage Open, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221138259

Lin, T., & Lei, J. (2021). English-medium instruction and content learning in higher education: Effects of medium of instruction, English proficiency, and academic ability. Sage Open, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211061533

Lo, C. K., Yu, P. L. H., Xu, S., Ng, D. T. K., & Jong, M. S. (2024). Exploring the application of ChatGPT in ESL/EFL education and related research issues: A systematic review of empirical studies. Smart Learning Environment, 11, Article 50. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-024-00342-5

Milman, V. E. (1990). Metod izucheniya motivatsionnoy sfery lichnosti. Praktikum po psikhodiagnostike. Psikhodiagnostika motivatsii i samoregulyatsii [A method for studying the motivational sphere of personality. Workshop on psychodiagnostics. Psychodiagnostics of motivation and self-regulation]. Мoscow. https://b.eruditor.link/file/1605138/

Moldakhanova, M., Kariyev, A., Lekerova, G., & Orazbayeva, F. (2024). Research on adaptation of first-year students with special educational needs to study at university. Insight: The Psychological Dimensions of Society, 11, 365–388. https://doi.org/10.32999/2663-970X/2024-11-19

Muho, A., Gokaj, R., Grillo Mukli, H., & Lutaj, L. (2024). Educators’ perspectives on grade inflation, motivational grading, and emotional responses. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(2), 223–236. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.2.223.236

Popovych, I., Blynova, O., Zhuravlova, A., Toba, M., Tkach, T., & Zavatska, N. (2020). Optimización del desarrollo y psicocorrección de expectativas sociales de estudiantes de filología extranjera. Revista Inclusiones, 7(SI), 23–38. https://www.revistainclusiones.org/index.php/inclu/article/view/1657

Popovych, I., Borysiuk, A., Zahrai, L., Fedoruk, O., Nosov, P., Zinchenko, S., & Mateichuk, V. (2020). Constructing a structural-functional model of social expectations of the personality. Revista Inclusiones, 7(SI), 154–167. https://www.revistainclusiones.org/index.php/inclu/article/view/354

Popovych, I., Hudimova, A., Bokhonkova, Yu., Savchuk, O., Hoian, I., & Shevchenko, N. (2023). Dispositional mental states of internally displaced university teachers under martial law: Gender differences. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 14(2), 171-187. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2023.2.171.181

Popovych, I., Yaremchuk, N., Yakovleva, S., Kariyev, A., Sadykova, A., & Kulbida, S. (2024). Research on the types of future teachers’ self-realization under conditions of a digital educational environment. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(1), 435-451. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.1.435.451

Qian, Y. (2019). Motivation to English academic writing: Chinese students’ literacy autobiography. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 9(5), 530–536. http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/tpls.0905.06

Rean, A. A., Kudashev, A. R., & Baranov, A. A. (2006). Psikhologiya adaptatsii lichnosti [Psychology of personality adaptation]. Prime-EUROSNAK. https://portal.iapm.edu.ua/portal/media/books/1fd5366754d940159f1525e47aaaa992.pdf

Shevchenko, N., Kuzmych, O., & Hmyrina, O. (2024). Personal determination of self-confidence in youth. Insight: The Psychological Dimensions of Society, 11, 123–145. https://doi.org/10.32999/2663-970X/2024-11-7

Takuova, Z. S. (2023). Aktual’nyye problemy sovremennogo obucheniya inostrannym yazykam v Kazakhstane [Current issues of modern teaching of foreign languages in Kazakhstan]. Bulletin of the Karaganda University Pedagogy Series, 112(4), 140–145. https://doi.org/10.31489/2023ped4/140-145

Teng, M. F., Qin, C., & Wang, C. (2022). Validation of metacognitive academic writing strategies and the predictive effects on academic writing performance in a foreign language context. Metacognition and Learning, 17(1), 167–190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11409-021-09278-4

Yang, M. (2024). Fostering EFL university students’ motivation and self-regulated learning in writing: A socio-constructivist approach. System, 124, Article 103386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2024.103386

Yang, M., Meng, X., & Deris, F. D. (2025). Writing with motivation: To delve into the impacts of modifications in academic materials on learners’ motivation, creativity, and writing progress in online instruction. Learning and Motivation, 89, Article 102086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2024.102086

Zarei, G. R., & Rahimi, A. (2014). Learning transfer in English for general academic purposes writing. Sage Open, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244013518925

Zhang, S., & Hasim, Z. (2023). Perceptions and coping strategies in English writing among Chinese study-abroad graduate students. Sage Open, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231184851

Downloads

Published

2025-09-23

How to Cite

Dyussekeneva, I. ., Kariyev, A., Sadler, R. W., Dyussekenev, D., & Zhumadilova, G. (2025). Comparative Research into Kazakhstan and American Master’s Students’ Motivation for Learning English Academic Writing (EFL/ESL). Journal of Education Culture and Society, 16(2), 517-537. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.3.517.537