TTHE CORRELATION BETWEEN STUDENTS' MOTIVATION AND ENGLISH ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Abstract

The motivation was called an essential role in affecting students' English academic achievement. The motivation can encourage students to change their attitude in studying English and get a better English Academic achievement. Recently, many students could not reach the standard criteria of English subject at school even though they have high motivation does not guarantee students to have good achievement. Based on the problem, the researcher conducts a correlational study. The research objective was to find out whether or not there is any correlation between students' motivation and English academic achievement of the Eighth-grade students at SMPN 1 Binuang in the academic year 2018/2019. This research involved the second-grade students of SMPN 1 Binuang as the population. Then, the sample was 53 students consisted of two classes: class VIIIB  and class VIIIC. This research used quantitative research and correlational study as the approach. The questionnaire and documentation were used as the instruments of this research. In analyzing the data, the result was 4.7. The findings showed that there is any correlation between students' motivation and their English academic achievement of the Eighth-grade students at SMPN 1 Binuang in the academic year 2018/2019. As suggestions, students should increase their motivation, and setting up the right goal in studying English. Teachers should have a good relationship with the students to lighten students' anxiety by creating a harmonious and co-operative classroom.