Article published in:

Motivation and Foreign Language Learning: From theory to practice
Edited by David Lasagabaster, Aintzane Doiz and Juan Manuel Sierra
[Language Learning & Language Teaching 40] 2014
► pp. 9–29

Directed motivational current

Energising language learning through creating intense motivational pathways

Zoltán Dörnyei | University of Nottingham

Christine Muir | University of Nottingham

Zana Ibrahim | University of Nottingham

In this chapter, we introduce a novel psychological construct whose key aspects are well-established in major motivation theories. A Directed Motivational Current (DMC) is a conceptual framework which depicts unique periods of intensive motivational involvement both in pursuit of and fuelled by a highly valued goal/vision. The heightened motivational state of individuals or groups involved in a DMC is maintained through the deployment of a salient facilitative structure that includes reinforcing feedback loops, positive emotionality and the prospect of reaching a new level of operation. When applied in second language contexts, DMCs can energise language learners to perform beyond expectations and across several levels and timescales, including long-term engagements.

Keywords: language learning motivation, Directed Motivational Current, vision, goal-setting, eudemonic well-being

Published online: 31 July 2014
https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.40.01dor

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