The influence of a study abroad program on Japanese university students’ motivation and the elaboration of motivational L2 selves
Three university students from Japan on a five-week study-abroad program in Australia participated in a case study
that investigated the impact of L2 learning experiences on changes in their motivation, especially in relation to development of
their ‘Motivational L2 Selves’ as introduced by
Dörnyei (2009). The study collected
both qualitative and quantitative data in three interviews and weekly learning logs during the program. The results from the
learning logs showed an upward trend in the level of motivational intensity as the program proceeded, with the participants’
positive perception of environmental factors. The study confirmed that learner perception of the same motivational factor could
vary, and perception can be affected by their prior learning experience and L1 culture. The study, however, failed to provide
positive evidence that the study abroad program can help the elaboration of the L2 Self, although the learning experiences in the
L2 context enhanced their instrumental motivation.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Research background
- 2.1L2 motivation
- 2.2The impact of study abroad
- 2.3The L2 motivational self
- 2.4Research questions
- 3.Methodology
- 4.Results
- 5.Discussion
- 6.Conclusion
-
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