Abstrak
This research aims to identify the motivation and challenges faced by second-grade students at UPTD SMP Negeri 2 Kupang in learning English. The study employed a descriptive quantitative method using two instruments: a questionnaire and interviews. The data were collected from 22 students as respondents. Which is 70.25% of students indicating a medium level of intrinsic motivation, and 68% of students also indicating a medium level of extrinsic motivation. The results show that 76.18% of the students have a high level of motivation in learning English, indicating a generally positive attitude toward the subject. However, 73.63% of the students also reported facing several challenges during the learning process. These challenges include a lack of sustained motivation, limited instructional support, fear of making mistakes, and the complexity of English phonology. The combination of questionnaire and interview data supports a deeper understanding of the students' learning experiences. The findings suggest that although students are motivated to learn English, targeted efforts are needed to overcome the specific barriers they face in the classroom.