Abstract: English, as one of the most important and widely used languages in the world, has permeated in all professions. For the students of vocational college, to master a foreign language is not only a requirement of development of times, but also a necessity to improve their professional ability. Learning motivation can promote students’ learning potential, and how to arouse a student’ s motivation is key to improve his/her English learning ability. This article explores both subjective factors affecting students’ motivations, including learning objects, attitudes, expectations, and objective factors like teaching quality, teaching materials, scores and other elements in English learning in higher vocational education. Finally, to motivate students’ learning motivation, this article offers some suggestions from three dimensions: teachers, colleges, and the students themselves.