Integrative and Instrumental Motivation among the Chinese Language Pre-service Teachers

Abstract

The present study intended to investigate Chinese proficiency achievement, integrative and instrumental motivation among Malaysia Chinese Language pre-service teachers. Integrative and instrumental motivation are two psychology factors that directly influence Chinese proficiency. The samples consisted of pre-service Chinese teachers attending undergraduate and postgraduate diploma teacher education programs. 407 samples from five Malaysian Teacher Training Institutes participated in this study. The analysis revealed three importance findings. First, the undergraduate pre-service teachers’ Chinese proficiency test results were better than the postgraduate diploma preservice teachers. Secondly, the mean of integrative and instrumental motivation of undergraduate pre-service teachers was higher than postgraduate diploma pre-service teachers. Thirdly, the t test showed that the mean of integrative and instrumental motivation significantly differed between undergraduate with postgraduate diploma teacher education programs. in engaging Chinese cultural activity compared to non-Sinosphere students who were more instrumental in learning Mandarin. This study provides meaningful information regarding Chinese Language studies on Chinese teacher education programs. Integrative and instrumental motivation were important predictors of Chinese language proficiency and academic achievement. The study suggested that Chinese communities and schools should support and provide an opportunity for Chinese preservice teachers, especially non-Chinese speakers, to participate in social work and self-exploration of Chinese culture. Engaging in social work will enhance the level of Chinese mastery and cultural knowledge of non-native speakers and portray the self-identity of Chinese native speakers. This study hopes to will shed some light on the importance of maintaining heritage language, justifying such educational reforms, and overcoming the existing problems.