This study investigates Taiwanese university students' English learning orientation from the perspective of
various important L2 motivation concepts (from Gardner's integrativeness/instrumentality to Dörnyei's L2
motivational self system) and the notion of English as an international language. The uniqueness also lies in its
comparison and contrast of both day and night school students' motivation for studying English. A total of 267
undergraduate students from a science and technology university in New Taipei City, Taiwan, participated in this
survey study. The results show that the majority of the participants studied English for travel, instrumental and
integrative orientations, as well as intrinsic motivation and the ideal L2 self, but not for external pressure and the
ought-to L2 self. No significant difference was found between day and night school students' motivation for
studying English. The term "integrativeness/integrative orientation", which has been rooted in L2 motivation
research for decades, is re-examined in this study, especially with the current important status of the English
language in the world. This paper will consider possible implications for English language professionals to
reconceptualise and re-approach EFL learners' motivation to study English.