Motives and Burnout: The Case for Learning A Foreign Language

Abstract

Research on burnout among students still needs to be conducted in the context of learning Arabic as a foreign language. Academic motivation significantly impacts academic burnout, which is a global concern. Even students at the University of Technology Mara (UiTM) are not exempt from facing burnout during their studies. However, it's important to note that burnout is more prevalent in medicine and nursing. So, this study aims to identify the levels of motivation and burnout among students learning Arabic as a third language at UiTM and determine if there is a significant relationship between motivation and burnout. The study employs a quantitative research design. A questionnaire was distributed to 229 students from the science and technology and social sciences faculties of a public university in Malaysia. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. The study's findings indicate that students studying Arabic are motivated, but their motivation leans more toward extrinsic than intrinsic motivation. Additionally, the study found that students experience burnout and exhaustion, although at a moderate level. Furthermore, the research demonstrates a significant and strong relationship between motivation and burnout (p = 0.00, r = 0.575). Therefore, teachers should balance intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to prevent students from experiencing stress and losing interest in learning Arabic. Thus, based on findings, future researchers can study more on academic burnout and the numerous influential factors associated with individuals and their environment, including curriculum, facilities, and more.