Филологические науки/1.Методика преподавания языка и литературы

Chyzhykova I.V., Bilinskaya L.I., Bozhok A.I.

Prydniprovsk State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture

Exam and its role in language learning motivation

People around the world are learning English for different reasons. Here are the top 9 reasons why people learn English.

1. Internet and Social Media. As our access to technology increases worldwide, there is an increase in a need to know English. Approximately, 55% of all written content on the internet is in English. That means that if you can read in English, you will have more access to information than your non-English speaking peers. Also, with the increase in popularity of Facebook, Twitter and Youtube; as well as other social media sites, the possibility of Native English speakers and non-Native speakers interacting has greatly increased.

2. To Meet and Communicate with More People. If you are able to speak English proficiently, you will people able to communicate with more people. Be it where you live, at work, online or wherever you go. Being able to speak multiple languages often gives you more opportunities in life and work than just speaking one language.

3. Travel. When travel to different countries, English is often the most common “bridge” language. Meaning that you could meet with people from five different countries at the same time and it is likely the only common language between all five people is English. English is able to connect people from many different countries and cultures more so than other languages. English is also a common language in tourism worldwide.

4. For Current Job or to Get Better Work. If you increase your English proficiency, you often will be able to get a new job, a better job or a promotion where you are working. Having English speaking clients is very attractive and often a necessity for millions of businesses worldwide. You may even get a higher salary or paid more hourly for speaking English fluently. Often if an employer (a business), is having trouble deciding between two potential job candidates; they often choose (or hire) the candidate that speaks proficient English rather than the one that does not.

5. For School or University Studies. Many schools and universities around the world require that their students have a basic or even intermediate understanding of the English language. Many have required courses that are taught in English.

6. Social Status. In some countries, speaking English fluently is highly regarded and sought after. This means that there are not many people that do speak English well and when they do; they stand out. When you learn to speak English fluently, you may find that other people think highly of you and your English speaking skills. People may think to come to you with questions about English, travel or may even want to know your secret of how you learned English so well.

7. Music. There is a lot of great music in English. Rather it is from the present day or something from 20 or 40 years ago, there are a lot of famous American and British singers. Music in English often becomes popular all around the world and often people look to English to understand what the song they are hearing so often means. Music often unites people from many cultures and many people enjoy learning songs from the present and past in English. Some people use songs and music to help them learn and better understand English. Song lyrics are usually catchy (interesting), easy to remember, repetitive and they activate your emotions (happy, sad, depressed, etc.).

8. Movies and TV. Many of the best movies are in English. Many of the most famous actors and actresses are English speaking. There are also thousands of movies that are produced in English each year. With the vast popularity of Hollywood movies and movie stars; it is no wonder that many people want to learn English so they can better understand movies and TV shows in English.

9. Science, Medicine, Economics, Law, Engineering and Politics. Often education, research and common industry vocabulary is in English for these important careers. If is often required that people who study or work in these industries do research and learn about new and cutting edge ideas within in their industry in English. Many of the top industry publications and research is in English.

All these reasons, of course, are very important, but here we should mention one more – exam or assessment test. Now there are plenty of exams for different purposes and expiry date. One of the most well-known system of language assessment is Cambridge English Language Assessment. Cambridge English exams are accepted by over 20,000 universities, employers and governments around the world. These exams can open doors to higher education, improve employment opportunities, and because they are globally recognised, can increase learners’ choices for study or work. They comprise the following exams: Proficiency (CPE), Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE), Cambridge English: First (FCE), Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET), Cambridge English: Key (KET), Cambridge English: Business Higher (BEC Higher), Cambridge English: Business Vantage (BEC Vantage), Cambridge English: Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), BULATS, Cambridge English: Legal (ILEC), Cambridge English: Financial (ICFE), TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test), CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), Delta (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). So, we can see the variety of choices. Now students are becoming more motivated in language learning and exams play the key role in it.

Literature:

1. http://english-tonight.com/why-do-people-learn-english-9-most-common-reasons/

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_(assessment)

3. http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/

4. R.Kumar. Research methodology. NL publishing, 2010.

5. O.Bogdanova. Methodology. M., 2000.