The relationship between learning motivation and indonesian language proficiency among students of Syekh Abdul Halim Hasan Institute Binjai
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35335/cendikia.v16i4.7094Keywords:
Higher Education, Indonesian Language Proficiency, Language Learning, Learning Motivation, University StudentsAbstract
Indonesian language proficiency is an important component of academic communication in higher education; however, differences in students’ abilities to use the language effectively in academic contexts are still frequently observed. One factor that is considered to influence students’ language competence is learning motivation, which encourages active engagement in the learning process. This study aims to analyze the relationship between learning motivation and Indonesian language proficiency among students at the Syekh Abdul Halim Hasan Institute, Binjai. The research employed a quantitative approach with a correlational design. A total of 30 students were selected as research participants using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through a learning motivation questionnaire and an Indonesian language proficiency test covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The data were analyzed using the Pearson Product–Moment correlation with the support of SPSS software. The descriptive results show that students have a relatively high level of learning motivation with a mean score of 79.80, while the mean score of Indonesian language proficiency reached 82.13, indicating good language competence. The correlation analysis revealed a positive and statistically significant relationship between learning motivation and Indonesian language proficiency (r = 0.621; p < 0.05). In addition, the analysis indicates that learning motivation contributes 38.6% to the variation in students’ language proficiency. These findings suggest that improving students’ learning motivation may support the development of their Indonesian language skills in academic settings.
References
Alfiana, N. (2024). Learning motivation and language learning achievement among university students. Journal of Language Education, 9(2), 120–128.
Aung, T. (2025). Motivation and second language acquisition in higher education. Language Teaching Research, 29(1), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.1177/136216882511234
Chen, X. (2024). Motivation and learning outcomes in language education. Journal of Educational Linguistics, 12(1), 50–62.
Ebadi, S. (2024). The role of motivation in language learning success. Educational Linguistics Review, 16(3), 233–245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2024.02.003
Hidayat, R., & Sari, D. (2023). Student motivation and academic performance in language learning. Indonesian Journal of Educational Research, 12(2), 145–154.
Huang, J. (2022). Motivation and student engagement in language classrooms. Language Learning Journal, 50(3), 356–368.
Krismawati, D. (2024). The importance of language skills in higher education learning. Journal of Indonesian Language Education, 8(1), 45–53.
Lakawa, M. (2024). Language competence and academic communication among university students. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa, 14(1), 30–38.
Liu, Y. (2025). Affective factors in language learning: The role of motivation. Behavioral Sciences, 15(3), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030112
Masluha, S. (2025). Language learning strategies and student motivation in higher education. Journal of Educational Development, 10(2), 75–83.
Muhaimin, A., Rahman, F., & Sari, N. (2026). Learning motivation and language proficiency among university students. Journal of Applied Linguistics Research, 11(1), 14–24.
Nurhayati, S. (2023). Motivation and academic language performance. Journal of Educational Research, 8(3), 200–209.
Pratama, D. (2022). Student motivation in language learning environments. Journal of Education and Linguistics, 6(1), 22–30.
Rahman, A., & Hasan, M. (2021). The role of motivation in students’ academic performance. Journal of Educational Psychology Studies, 15(2), 95–104.
Rahmawati, F. (2020). Motivation and learning outcomes in language education. Indonesian Journal of Language Teaching, 5(2), 115–123.
Setiayadi, A. (2025). Student motivation and academic success in language learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 18(2), 102–110.
Simanjuntak, H., & Lubis, R. (2024). Motivation in language learning among Indonesian students. International Journal of Education and Learning, 7(1), 66–74.
Suryani, N., & Prasetyo, A. (2022). The relationship between learning motivation and academic achievement. Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia, 11(3), 210–218.
Tambunan, R. (2024). Student motivation and engagement in higher education. Journal of Educational Studies, 9(2), 98–107.
Utami, W. (2021). Language learning motivation and academic performance. Journal of Language and Education, 7(1), 50–60.
Widodo, H. P. (2020). Teaching Indonesian language in higher education: Challenges and opportunities. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 10(2), 327–335.
Wulandari, S. (2023). The role of learning motivation in improving language skills. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra, 13(2), 90–101.
Yuliana, R. (2024). Student engagement and language learning motivation. Journal of Applied Education, 10(1), 60–70.
Zhang, Q. (2023). The impact of motivation on second language learning achievement. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 33(2), 180–192.
Zhou, L., Chen, Y., & Wang, H. (2026). Learning motivation and language competence in higher education. Journal of Language Studies, 21(1), 44–56.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Milfa Yetty Milfa, James Marudut, Amron Zarkasih Ritonga, Vina Rahmayanti
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
