Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to develop and validate a causal
relationship model between grade, gender, and motivation in learning English among
students in the Eastern Education Service Area. The sample involoved 500 students
who were studying in primary and secondary schools in Chonburi and Rayong
Provinces selected by Multi-Stage Random Sampling. The research instrument was a
motivation in learning English scale. Descriptive statistics were generated using SPSS;
causal relationship modeling involes in the use of Mplus 7.31.
The results were as follows:
1. The hypothetical model was consistent with empiritical data. Goodness of
fit statistics were: chi- square test = 49.40, df =36, p = .07, TLI = .99, CFI = .99, SRMR
= .03 and RMSEA = .03. The variables in the hypothetical model accounted for 15.2
percent of the total variance of motivation in learning English.
2. The hypothetical model between grade, gender, and motivation in
learning English of students in the Eastern Education Service Area indicated that
grade, and gender had a direct effect on motivation in learning English. Female
students are superior to male students and primary school students are superior to
secondary school students.
In conclusion, females motivated to learn English better than males and
primary school students motivated to learn English better than secondary school
students.