Language learner motivation, where it’s been and where it’s going

Authors

  • Yvonne Sewell

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54475/jlt.2022.002

Keywords:

motivation, language learners, engagement, visualisation, L2, EAL, self-determination, L2MSS

Abstract

Since 2005 there has been a surge in empirical and theoretical research in second language (L2) motivation. This phenomenon has been quantified as the equivalent of one paper being published every twenty-two days in 2005, and one paper every five days in 2014 (Boo, Dörnyei, & Ryan, 2015). This unprecedented boom is still on an incline, meriting the unique domain status of L2 motivation (Boo et al., 2015). This paper will give an overview of previous research in L2 motivation, discuss if such claims are still valid twenty-two years later, and discuss developments in the L2 motivation regarding engagement and visualisation.

Author Biography

  • Yvonne Sewell

    Yvonne Sewell has been working in the field of language learning since 2012. Originally from the UK, she has worked at schools in South Korea and China, where she currently lives and works. She has completed her MSc in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching at the University of Oxford, and focuses on language learner motivation amongst adolescents. Email: yvonnejsewell@outlook.com

References

Adolphs, S., Clark, L., Dörnyei, Z., Glover, T., Henry, A., Muir, C., Sánchez-Lozano, E., and Valstar, M. (2018). “Digital Innovations in L2 Motivation: Harnessing the Power of the Ideal L2 Self.” System 78:173–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2018.07.014

Ainley, M. (2012). “Students’ Interest and En-gagement in Classroom Activities.” in Handbook of Research on Student Engage-ment. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2018-7_13

Al-Mubireek, S. n.d. (2020) “An Atti-tude/Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) of English Language Learning among Students across Genders, Tracks and Proficiency Levels at a Leading Saudi University.” Asian EFL Journal 24(4):26.

Anderman, E. M., and Patrick, H. (2012). “Achievement Goal Theory, Conceptualiza-tion of Ability/Intelligence, and Classroom Climate.” in Handbook of Research on Stu-dent Engagement. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2018-7_8

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. New York: W.H. Freeman.

Bandura, A. (1977). “Self-Efficacy: Toward a Unifying Theory of Behavioral Change.” Psychological Review 84(2):191. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191

Bier, A. n.d., Dörnyei, Z.; Kubanyiova, M. (2014). Motivating Learners, Motivating Teachers: Building vision in the language classroom. Cambridge (UK): Cambridge University Press.” Educazione Linguistica Language Education 4(1). https://doi.org/10.14277/2280-6792/130

Boo, Z., Dörnyei, Z., and Ryan, S. (2015). “L2 Motivation Research 2005-2014: Under-standing a Publication Surge and a Changing Landscape.” System 55:145–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2015.10.006

Christenson, S. L., Wylie, C., and Reschly, A., L. (2012). Handbook of Research on Student Engagement. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2018-7

Cleary, T. J., and Zimmerman, B. J. (2012). “A Cyclical Self-Regulatory Account of Student Engagement: Theoretical Foundations and Applications.” in Handbook of Research on Student Engagement. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2018-7_11

Clément, R., and Kruidenier, B. G. n.d. (1985). “Aptitude, Attitude and Motivation in Second Language Proficiency: A Test Of Clément’s Model.” Journal of Language and Social Psychology 4(1):21–37. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261927X8500400102.

Cocca, M., Garcia, J., Zamarripa, J., Demetriou, Y., and Cocca, A. (2017). “Psychometric Pa-rameters of the Attitude/Motivation Test Bat-tery Instrument in a Mexican Environment.” Revista De Psicologia Del Deporte 26(s2):149–55.

Csizér, K., & Magid, M. (Eds.). (2014). The impact of self-concept on language learning. Bristol, United Kingdom: Multilingual Matters. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2015.1039851

De Bot, K, Lowie, W., and Verspoor, M., n.d. (2007). “A Dynamic Systems Theory Ap-proach to Second Language Acquisition.” Bilingualism 10(1):7–21. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728906002732

Deci, E. L, and Ryan, R. M. (1988). “Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior.” Contemporary Sociology 17(2). https://doi.org/10.2307/2070638

Dörnyei, Z. (2010). “Background Knowledge.” Motivational Strategies in the Language Classroom 5–30. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511667343.002

Dörnyei, Z. (2001). Motivational Strategies in the Language Classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511667343

Dörnyei, Z. (2003). “Attitudes, Orientations, and Motivations in Language Learning: Advances in Theory, Research, and Applications.” Language Learning 53(SUPPL. 1).

Dörnyei, Z. (2019). “Towards a Better Under-standing of the L2 Learning Experience, the Cinderella of the L2 Motivational Self System.” Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching 9(1):19–30. https://doi.org/10.14746/ssllt.2019.9.1.2

Dörnyei, Z. (1998). “Motivation in Second and Foreign Language Learning.” Language Teaching 31(3):117–35. https://doi.org/10.1017/S026144480001315X

Dörnyei, Z., and Csizér, K. (1998). “Ten Com-mandments for Motivating Language Learners: Results of an Empirical Study.” Language Teaching Research 2(3):203–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/136216889800200303

Dörnyei, Z., and Csizér, K. (2002). “Some Dy-namics of Language Attitudes and Motivation: Results of a Longitudinal Nationwide Survey.” Applied Linguistics 23(4). https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/23.4.421

Dörnyei, Z., Muir, C., & Ibrahim, Z. (2014). Di-rected Motivational Currents: Energising language learning by creating intense moti-vational pathways. In D. Lasagabaster, A. Doiz, & J. M. Sierra (Eds.), Motivation and foreign language learning: From theory to practice, 9-29. John Benjamins. https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.40.01dor

Dörnyei, Z., and Otto, I. (1998). “Motivation in Action: A Process Model of L2 Motivation.” Working Papers in Applied Linguistics 4, 43-69.

Dörnyei, Z., and Ryan, S. (2015). “Learning Strategies and Self-Regulation.” The Psy-chology of the Language Learner Revisited 28(2):409.

Dörnyei, Z., and Ushioda, E. (2009). Motivation, Language Identity and the L2 Self. Blue Ridge Summit, PA.

Försterling, F. (1988). Attribution Theory in Clinical Psychology. Chichester: Wiley.

Fredricks, J. A., Blumenfeld, P. C., and Paris, A. H. (2004). “School Engagement: Potential of the Concept, State of the Evidence.” Review of Educational Research 74(1), 59–109. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543074001059

Gardner, R. C., and P. F. Tremblay. n.d. (1994). “On Motivation: Measurement and Concep-tual Considerations.” Modern Language Journal 78(4):524–27. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1994.tb02073.x

Gardner, R. C. (1985). Social Psychology and Second Language Learning: The Role of At-titudes and Motivation. London; Baltimore, Md., U.S.A: E. Arnold.

Gardner, R. C., and Lambert, W. E. (1972). Atti-tudes and Motivation in Second-Language Learning. Rowley, Mass: Newbury House Publishers.

Gardner, R. C., and Macintyre, P. D. (1993). “On the Measurement of Affective Variables in Second Language Learning.” Language Learning 43(2), 157. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-1770.1992.tb00714.x

Green, C. F. (1999). “Categorising Motivational Drives in Second Language Acquisition.” Language Culture and Curriculum 12(3):265–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/07908319908666583

Guthrie, J. T., Wigfield, A., Barbosa, P., Perence-vich, K. C., Taboada, A., Davis, M. H., Sca-fiddi, N. T., and Tonks, S. (2004). “Increasing Reading Comprehension and Engagement through Concept-Oriented Reading Instruc-tion.” Journal of Educational Psychology 96(3): 403-423. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.96.3.403

Huang, K. (2011). “Motivating Lessons: A Class-room-Oriented Investigation of the Effects of Content-Based Instruction on EFL Young Learners’ Motivated Behaviours and Class-room Verbal Interaction.” System (Linköping) 39(2):186–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2011.02.002

Iwaniec, J. (2014). “Motivation of Pupils from Southern Poland to Learn English.” System 45(1):67–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2014.05.003

Labrie, N., and Clément, R. (1986). “Ethnolin-guistic Vitality, Self-Confidence and Second Language Proficiency: An Investigation1.” Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development 7(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.1986.9994244

Macintyre, P. D., Dörnyei, Z., Clément, R., and Noels, K. A. (1998). “Conceptualizing Will-ingness to Communicate in a L2: A Situational Model of L2 Confidence and Affiliation.” Modern Language Journal 82(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1998.tb05543.x

Markus, H., and Nurius, P. (1986). “Possible Selves.” American Psychologist 41(9):954–69. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.41.9.954

Mori, S. n.d. “Significant Motivational Predictors of the Amount of Reading By Efl Learners in Japan.” RELC Journal 35(1):63–81. https://doi.org/10.1177/003368820403500106

Pekrun, R., and Linnenbrink-Garcia, L. (2012). “Academic Emotions and Student Engage-ment.” in Handbook of Research on Student Engagement. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2018-7_12

Philp, J., and Duchesne, S. (2008). “When the Gate Opens: The Interaction between Social and Linguistic Goals in Child Second Language Development.” In J. J. Philp, R. Oliver & A. Mackey (Eds.), Second language acquisition and the younger learner: child''s play? (pp. 83-103). Philadelphia: John Benjamins B.V. https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.23.07phi

Philp, J., and Duchesne, S. (2016). “Exploring Engagement in Tasks in the Language Classroom.” Annual Review of Applied Lin-guistics 36:50–72. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0267190515000094

Reeve, J. M. (2012). “A Self-Determination The-ory Perspective on Student Engagement.” in Handbook of Research on Student Engage-ment. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2018-7_12

Reschly, A. L., and Christenson, S. L. (2012). “Jingle, Jangle, and Conceptual Haziness: Evolution and Future Directions of the En-gagement Construct.” in Handbook of Re-search on Student Engagement. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2018-7_1

Schumann, J. H. 1997. “The Neurobiology of Affect in Language.” Language Learning; 1998 Supplement 1, Vol. 48, P1-36, 36p 48(Supplement 1).

Schumann, J. (1997). The neurobiology of affect in language. Malden, MA; Oxford: Blackwell.

Schumann, J. H. n.d. (2002). “Appraisal Psy-chology, Neurobiology, and Language.” Annual Review of Applied Linguistics 21:23–42. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0267190501000022

Sinatra, G. M., Heddy, C. B., and Lombardi, D. (2015). “The Challenges of Defining and Measuring Student Engagement in Science.” Educational Psychologist 50(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2014.1002924

Skinner, E. A., and Pitzer, J. R. (2012). “Devel-opmental Dynamics of Student Engagement, Coping, and Everyday Resilience.” in Handbook of Research on Student Engage-ment. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2018-7_2

Swain, M. (2013). “The Inseparability of Cogni-tion and Emotion in Second Language Learning.” Language Teaching 46(2). https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444811000486

Ushioda, E., and Dörnyei, Z. (2017). “Beyond Global English: Motivation to Learn Lan-guages in a Multicultural World: Introduction to the Special Issue.” Modern Language Journal 101(3):451–54. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12407

Waninge, F., Dörnyei, Z., and De Bot, K. (2014). “Motivational Dynamics in Language Learning: Change, Stability, and Context.” Modern Language Journal 98(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12118

Weiner, B. (2010). “The Development of an At-tribution-Based Theory of Motivation: A History of Ideas.” Educational Psychologist 45(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520903433596

Weiner, B. (1972). “Attribution Theory, Achievement Motivation, and the Educational Process.” Review of Educational Research 42(2). https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543042002203

Williams, M., and Burden, R. L. (1997). Psy-chology for Language Teachers: A Social Constructivist Approach. Cambridge: Cam-bridge University Press.

You, C. J., Dörnyei, Z., and Csizér, K. (2016). “Motivation, Vision, and Gender: A Survey of Learners of English in China.” Language Learning 66(1):94–123. https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12140

Downloads

Published

2022-02-12

Issue

Section

Review

How to Cite

Sewell, Y. (2022). Language learner motivation, where it’s been and where it’s going. Journal of Language Teaching, 2(2), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.54475/jlt.2022.002

Similar Articles

1-10 of 68

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.