This article reviews past research done on English as a foreign language learning motivation in Saudi Arabian universities from the last twenty years, in order to evaluate its impact on learning process and to find out the nature of motivation of EFL learners. It focuses on the studies of psychological theories of motivation which were tested in FL classrooms for their validation in Saudi universities. It has been observed that there are significant changes in EFL learners’ learning level of motivation at different times in different contexts. Additionally, this review emphasizes the complexities seen in the relationships between teaching and learner motivation. Eventually, an attempt is made to clarify certain emerging truths and point out the most promising research directions. Keywords: Motivation; EFL learning process; Saudi Arabian universities DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/98-05 Publication date:September 30th 202
