Students as the source of demotivation for teachers: A case study of Vietnamese university EFL teachers

Abstract The importance of having highly motivated teaching staffs is widely recognised and most institutions implement various policies incentives designed to stimulate their teachers’ motivation. It equally important recognise forces which have the potential demotivate teachers. Among these forces, previous research has shown student-related factors be detrimental teacher Our aims were examine Vietnamese university English as a Foreign Language (EFL) perceptions demotivating factors, ways influence teachers teaching. Using semi-structured interviews, data collected from 30 participating EFL 14 universities in Vietnam. results study revealed that students’ limited proficiency, negative attitudes towards language learning, poor classroom performance, low academic achievement potent for teachers; found range consequences emotions, behaviours, attitudes. relative impact on was subject individual variation. Practical implications limitations are discussed.