A comparison between integrative and instrumental motivation of Thai-Korean language learners

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the types of motivation of Thai­-Korean language learners and to find which type of motivation is dominant for Thai people learning Korean language. An online survey conducted between October and November 2021 collected 155 Thai-Korean language learners from two Korean language institutes certified by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, namely Chiang Mai King Sejong Institute, and King Sejong Institute in Bangkok. For detailed analysis, the responses of 60 students and 95 non­students were further examined, mainly by comparing the mode of their responses. The results reveal that student and non-student displayed high scores in both integrative motivation and instrumental motivation in learning Korean language, with some similarities and differences regarding the dominant motivation in both groups. The category 'further education' is the dominant motivation for learning Korean for students and non-students alike, however, in terms of differences, 'learning Korean for travel purposes' is the dominant motivation among students while 'Korean cultural interest and Korean wave' is the dominant motivation among non-students learning Korean.