South Korean Jobseekers’ Perceptions and (De)motivation to Study for Standardized English Tests in Neoliberal Corporate Labor Markets

Abstract

The study examines 252 South Korean jobseekers’ perception of three standardized English tests, their motivation and demotivation to study for the tests, and the relations among their perceptions, (de)motivation, and test scores. Exploratory factor analysis found four perception factors: the tests as a job skill, a gate, a qualification, and a scale of diligence. Instrumental motivation, competitive motivation, and ought-to L2 self were higher than other motivators. Correlation analysis revealed that all demotivation factors negatively correlated with the scores, whereas no motivation factors had statistically significant, positive correlations with the scores. Sequential regression showed that English test stress, one of the demotivation factors, was the only significant negative predictor of the scores. The results indicate that the jobseekers perceived the tests more as needed for a job than as a measure of English proficiency, and their motivation did not result in a meaningful increase of the score, while demotivation caused by neoliberal pressure lowered the score. © 2019 Asian E F L Journal Press. All Rights Reserved.