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Since the introduction of the L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS), numerous studies worldwide have highlighted its effectiveness in elucidating Second Language Acquisition. However, the influence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technology on this model remains largely unexplored. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is a widely employed framework for examining the impact of a new technology, and this study explores the intercorrelation when these two models are considered together. Conducted with 35 s-year university English as a foreign language (EFL) students in humanities, the study involved two sessions of instructor-led ChatGPT usage writing workshops, followed by the collection of survey responses. Data analysis unveiled a notable correlation between the L2 Motivational Self System and the Technology Acceptance Model. Particularly noteworthy is the finding that Ought-to L2 Self positively predict Actual Usage. The study discusses pedagogical and theoretical implications, along with suggesting future research directions.

Motivational development can no longer be considered as the stable phenomenon as it was considered in the past. It is now an element of individual difference which is constantly influenced by contextual factors. This study applied a dynamic system perspective and drew upon Dörnyei’s (2005) L2 Motivational Self-System to examine both male and female Iranian EFL learners’ motivational and behavioral variability over time with different levels of proficiency. To this end, 590 beginner to upper intermediate male and female students completed the Motivational Factors Questionnaire at one-month intervals during the semester. The results indicated that the students’ motivation could possibly be explored under dynamic systems’ principles. The findings demonstrated how students’ motivation changed over time and how it could be predicted in a moderately stable manner. The outcomes also showed that students’ motivational and behavioral developments were mediated by their proficiency levels and gender. Implications and directions for further research were also stated.

Motivational development can no longer be considered as the stable phenomenon as it was considered in the past. It is now an element of individual difference which is constantly influenced by contextual factors. This study applied a dynamic system perspective and drew upon Dörnyei's (2005) L2 Motivational Self-System to examine both male and female Iranian EFL learners' motivational and behavioral variability over time with different levels of proficiency. To this end, 590 beginner to upper intermediate male and female students completed the Motivational Factors Questionnaire at one-month intervals during the semester. The results indicated that the students' motivation could possibly be explored under dynamic systems' principles. The findings demonstrated how students' motivation changed over time and how it could be predicted in a moderately stable manner. The outcomes also showed that students' motivational and behavioral developments were mediated by their proficiency levels and gender. Implications and directions for further research were also stated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThe ideal second/foreign language (L2) self, a concept in second-language acquisition theory, is a learner’s future vision about their language ability. Research on the ideal L2 self is important for finding ways to improve motivation for learning a new language, foreign language teaching strategies, and personalization of instruction for individuals with different backgrounds and aspirations. The present study aimed to better understand the factors that might influence the ideal L2 self among Japanese elementary school students. While there have been numerous studies about the ideal L2 self in English language learning, few have focused on elementary school students’ motivation to learn English.MethodsData were collected from 225 4th- and 6th-grade elementary school students in Japan. The data were analyzed by performing t-tests and a hierarchical linear regression to understand the relationships between the pertinent variables and the ideal L2 self.ResultsThe analysis results revealed three characteristics of the relationship between elementary school students’ English language skills and their ideal L2 selves. First, the results of the t-test suggested that international travel and English cram school experiences were differentiating factors for the ideal L2 self, suggesting that the groups of participants with and without those factors (experiences) had significantly different ideal L2 selves. Second, the experience of living abroad was not a significant differentiating factor for the ideal L2 self. Third, the results of the regression analysis suggested that school, home, and foreign media influences are significant contributors to the formation of the ideal L2 self. These factors may therefore subsume international travel and English cram school experiences.DiscussionBy understanding the factors that contribute to the ideal L2 self, educators and policymakers can strive to establish a more effective environment to improve students’ motivation to learn English.

Directed Motivational Currents (DMCs) can be described as intense surges in motivation which can carry second language (L2) learners towards achieving their L2 related goals. DMCs are triggered by powerful stimuli which can be diverse in nature, and they depend on various conditions. DMCs are characterized by several key features, including goal-orientedness, a salient facilitative structure, and positive emotionality. Individuals experiencing DMCs are highly focused on a clearly defined goal accompanied by a vision of an idealized future self that has reached the goal. This vision is supported by a new set of automatized behavioural routines, subgoals, and affirmative feedback. Furthermore, individuals experience positive emotions while engaged in pursuit of their L2 goal, regardless of the type of activity or task in question. The aim of this study was to describe DMCs among English L2 university students based on an analysis of interview data. The findings indicated that Croatian university students displayed the key features of DMCs, which were launched due to various triggering stimuli, the most common of which were intrapersonal reasons. L2 goals were mainly related to a future career in the teaching profession, while visions of their ideal L2 self were tied to becoming proficient English language speakers, but also to personal development. Most students used automatized behavioural routines which aided in attaining their goals. The results also suggested that negative feedback did not have a detrimental effect on students’ motivation. Moreover, students’ DMCs were associated with positive emotionality, through the satisfaction gained by goal attainment which reciprocally affected their self-confidence.

Introduction: This study delves into the intricate network of motivational factors that influence online learning satisfaction among intermediate-level English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in mainland China. Methods: A diverse sample of 496 EFL students participated in this research. Structural Equation Modeling was employed as the analytical method. Results: The results of the study reveal significant and positive relationships between ideal L2 self and L2 grit with online learning satisfaction. Additionally, online learning self-efficacy emerged as a crucial mediator between ideal L2 self and online learning satisfaction, as well as between L2 grit and online learning satisfaction. Discussion: These findings provide valuable insights into the motivational dynamics within online language learning contexts. They offer practical implications for educators and instructional designers seeking to enhance students' online learning experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The L2 motivational self-system (L2MSS) has been extensively investigated in multiple contexts. However, few studies have explored its correlation with Islamic junior high English students’ proficiency test results. To fill the void, this study examines the relationship between the L2MSS and English proficiency test scores among Indonesian Islamic junior high school students. Data were garnered quantitatively from 30 students of an Institute for Foreign Language Development at an Indonesian private university through a questionnaire and an English proficiency test and then were analyzed using the SPSS software system. The findings revealed that the correlation between motivation and achievement was statistically insignificant. We obtained the score of three components; ideal L2 self (r = .01, p .05), L2 learning experience (r = -.204, p .05), and ought to L2 self (r = -.343, p .05). The findings suggest that the ideal L2 self showed a very low relationship and the other two demonstrated a negative direction correlation. This study contributes insights into the understanding of the correlation between foreign language learning motivation and its influence on achievement in the Islamic boarding school context. Further research could recruit participants from wider areas with different contexts.

Motivation plays an essential part in learning, especially in second language acquisition (SLA). This paper investigates the learning motivation of Vietnamese economics-related majors studying English as a Foreign Language (EFL), utilizing Dornyei’s (2005) L2 motivational self-system as the theoretical framework. The subjects were 236 first-year and 99 second-year students. A mixed method research design with both quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed. The 6-point scale questionnaire was adapted from Dörnyei’s (2005, 2009), including 24 items to explore students’ Ideal L2 Self, the Ought-to L2 Self, the students’ attitudes and their effort in learning English. The quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS software for Mean, Standard Deviation, and correlations. The open-ended section and focus group interview probed further into the students’ motivation, influencing factors, as well as the student recommendations for stakeholders in order to enhance their motivation to learn English. The study proposes some implications for EFL instructors, curriculum developers, and administrators to promote students’ motivation in English learning.

The role that individual difference factors play in pragmatic learning behavior has received increasing attention in second-language (L2) pragmatics. However, there is a dearth of studies exploring the relationship between learners' motivational variables and their pragmatic production. To address this gap, the present study aims to examine a model of the ideal L2 self, self-efficacy, willingness to communicate (WTC), and pragmatic production among English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) learners. The study also seeks to explore the mediating role of WTC within this structural model. For this purpose, a total of 427 undergraduate students at a public university in China were recruited for an online survey. The structural validity of the questionnaires was established using a confirmatory-factor analysis, while the hypothesized structural relations between the variables were tested through structural-equation modeling. The results demonstrated that self-efficacy and WTC significantly and directly predicated pragmatic production. Nevertheless, the ideal L2 self influenced pragmatic production indirectly, through the mediation of WTC. The study concludes by providing implications for teaching and by offering suggestions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies elaborating on the L2 learning experience component of the L2 Motivational Self System (Dörnyei, 2005, 2009), especially through a narrative identity perspective, mark a new direction in L2 motivation research. This paper extends this work by exploring the connection between the L2 learning experience and ideal L2 self components. Emerging from different theoretical origins, these components have proved difficult to reconcile. Especially in an EFL environment such as Japan, where learners may lack well-defined goals for their English learning beyond university entrance, investigations into the role of L2 learning experience in developing ideal L2 selves can offer practical value to both learners and teachers alike. Adopting an L2 narrative identity perspective (Dörnyei & Ryan, 2015), this study portrays the case of a Japanese pre-service elementary school teacher. Qualitative data was collected from her participation in an undergraduate English-through-drama course. Dramaturgical coding analysis revealed two interconnected L2 narrative dynamics related to her overarching ideal L2 self: one professional and one personal. Evidence is discussed for the tracing of these ideal L2 self-conceptualizations back to key episodes in her L2 learning experience. An important functional interrelation is suggested between L2 learning experience and the development of ideal L2 self-guides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study intended to propose a model of intercultural communicative competence integrating international posture, L2 motivational self-system, autonomy, and cognitive learning strategies. To do so, 180 EFL learners in the Iranian EFL context, selected by convenience sampling procedure, participated in the study. The findings, derived from structural equation modeling, showed that the model adequately fits to the data. That was discussed that interest in seeking international affairs and making intercultural friends, desire to bridge the gap between their current and future selves, taking responsibility for learning, and employment of deep/surface learning strategies direct learners to open conversation with the speakers of other ethnicities. Finally, implications for language teachers and policymakers to inspiring learners to be competent in intercultural communication were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Directed Motivational Currents (DMCs) can be described as intense surges in motivation which can carry second language (L2) learners towards achieving their L2 related goals. DMCs are triggered by powerful stimuli which can be diverse in nature, and they depend on various conditions. DMCs are characterized by several key features, including goal-orientedness, a salient facilitative structure, and positive emotionality. Individuals experiencing DMCs are highly focused on a clearly defined goal accompanied by a vision of an idealized future self that has reached the goal. This vision is supported by a new set of automatized behavioural routines, subgoals, and affirmative feedback. Furthermore, individuals experience positive emotions while engaged in pursuit of their L2 goal, regardless of the type of activity or task in question. The aim of this study was to describe DMCs among English L2 university students based on an analysis of interview data. The findings indicated that Croatian university students displayed the key features of DMCs, which were launched due to various triggering stimuli, the most common of which were intrapersonal reasons. L2 goals were mainly related to a future career in the teaching profession, while visions of their ideal L2 self were tied to becoming proficient English language speakers, but also to personal development. Most students used automatized behavioural routines which aided in attaining their goals. The results also suggested that negative feedback did not have a detrimental effect on students' motivation. Moreover, students' DMCs were associated with positive emotionality, through the satisfaction gained by goal attainment which reciprocally affected their self-confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a greater focus has been placed on the influential power of domain-general psychological properties in second language acquisition and learning. The investigations of these properties, such as grit, academic procrastination and enjoyment etc. have been extensively conducted and are well-documented. Notwithstanding the surge of academic inquiry, the link between psychopathological notions and second language learning has not been adequately established and thoroughly scrutinized. The current study, therefore, aims to broaden the spectrum of second language research and explore the impact of social phobia on willingness to communicate in the second language context. Meanwhile, this research introduces the selfconstruct, particularly the ideal L2 self to further examine and elucidate the impact. 173 qualified Chinese speakers of L2 English participated in the study. By conducting correlation analysis, regression analysis and structural equation modelling analysis, it was revealed that social phobia had a significant negative impact on L2 willingness to communicate in social situations of meetings and public speaking. Ideal L2 self acted as a complete mediating role in the impact. Pedagogical implications and future directions were proposed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The communicative component of language learning has gained importance in line with the needs of the 21st century. So, different factors which influence the communicative ability of language learners has caught the attention of the researchers. Willingness to communicate (WTC) is one of these individual variables which affects the communicative ability of learners and various aspects of this construct are widely investigated in different language learning contexts. However, the number of studies in Turkish English as a foreign language (EFL) context is limited. Thus, the primary goal of the study was to investigate L2 WTC in Turkey. 711 preparatory school students at a state university completed measures of WTC, communication confidence, motivation, ideal L2 self, learner beliefs, classroom environment, and a vocabulary test. According to the results of the structural model, the relationships of classroom environment with both WTC in English and communication confidence were fully mediated by motivation to learn English, ideal L2 self, and learner beliefs. Moreover, the relationships of learner beliefs and ideal self with WTC in English were fully mediated by communication confidence. Motivation to learn English directly influenced WTC. Lastly, vocabulary size indirectly influenced WTC through communication confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role that individual difference factors play in pragmatic learning behavior has received increasing attention in second-language (L2) pragmatics. However, there is a dearth of studies exploring the relationship between learners’ motivational variables and their pragmatic production. To address this gap, the present study aims to examine a model of the ideal L2 self, self-efficacy, willingness to communicate (WTC), and pragmatic production among English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) learners. The study also seeks to explore the mediating role of WTC within this structural model. For this purpose, a total of 427 undergraduate students at a public university in China were recruited for an online survey. The structural validity of the questionnaires was established using a confirmatory-factor analysis, while the hypothesized structural relations between the variables were tested through structural-equation modeling. The results demonstrated that self-efficacy and WTC significantly and directly predicated pragmatic production. Nevertheless, the ideal L2 self influenced pragmatic production indirectly, through the mediation of WTC. The study concludes by providing implications for teaching and by offering suggestions for future research.

One of the most interesting areas in second and English-language teaching and learning has been the study of motivation. In this study, the L2 Motivational Self-System theory (Dörnyei, 2005) was adopted in the conceptual framework with the emphasis on learning experiences through the 5Ts of motivation in the classroom (Renandya, 2014). The purpose of this study were to: 1) investigate the levels of motivation towards English language learning among secondary students, and 2) identify the factors that affect the English language learning motivation of secondary school students. The participants consisted of 462 secondary students at Ave Maria School in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. An explanatory mixed-method design with quantitative and qualitative data was used in this study. The research results showed that the level of students’ motivation towards English language learning among secondary students was high based on the three main components: Ideal L2 Self, Ought-to L2 Self, and L2 Learning Experience. Furthermore, the qualitative data brought to light the types of support that secondary students required, which were classified into five themes: Ideal L2 Self; Ought-to L2 Self; 5Ts of motivation in the classroom; Peers; and social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical basis of this paper is the heuristic L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS). The research aims to determine the degree to which the ideal L2 self can be regarded as a significant factor with regards to its power to make a difference in students’ actual motivated behaviour in L2 communication. The research sample consists of 396 students. The ideal L2 self is a predictor variable. Willingness to communicate and the obtained grades are criterion variables. Gender, period of time spent learning English / German, and whether students are residing in the country where the target language is spoken are all moderator variables. Systematic non-experimental observation method based on Dörnyei and Taguchi´s survey was used in this study. Cronbach’s alpha indicated high reliability in the presented sample (.92). Willingness to communicate was investigated using McCroskey´s questionnaire. The findings indicate a rather complex picture of the observed L2 MSS constructs and the importance of their components in the field of L2 learning. Therefore, for further research, it is suggested that the ideal L2 self should be divided into two constructs: obligations that the individual would like to comply with and obligations that others expect him/her to comply with. The contribution of the L2 learning experience should also be considered because otherwise, it is difficult to determine the progress of the model design and what to do with it in practice.

This paper investigates the L2 motivation of Saudi university students in ESP (English for Specific Purposes) and EGP (English for General Purposes) courses. One of the common arguments about ESP courses suggests that they are more likely to generate higher levels of motivation than other types of English courses (i.e., EGP courses). Some scholars (e.g., Basturkmen, 2010; Dudley-Evans & St John, 1998; Hutchinson & Waters, 1987) hold this view, asserting that ESP courses are more relevant to learners' needs and interests, which increases their motivation. However, none of these claims are based on empirical research; the present study aims to fill this gap. Using Dörnyei's (2005, 2009) L2 Motivational Self System, 4,043 students enrolled in ESP and EGP courses at four Saudi universities completed an online survey. The analysis showed a significant relationship between learners' motivation and their attended English course. The ESP group had higher ideal L2 selves and more positive attitudes towards the L2 learning experience than the EGP group, whereas the ought-to L2 selves were not significantly different. In addition, a multiple regression model was designed, and indicated that the two self-constructs had an impact on participants' L2 achievements, either positively or negatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the process of how a learner recognises the value of a Self-Access Learning Center (SALC) and takes charge of her own learning through self-reflection of her language learning environments beyond the classroom as well as her ideal future self-image as a motivational factor. A university student who majors in English drew a mind map as a tool to reflect on her learning activities beyond the classroom before and after engaging in various reflective activities. Employing a qualitative narrative case study approach, multiple data sources, which included two mind maps, written descriptions of them, and a follow-up semi-structured interview, were analysed from an ecological perspective. The findings show that the learner's self-reflection on her learning environments beyond the classroom, as well as her stronger image of ideal future-self, guided her to step forward to take action to engage with the SALC to create a meaningful space to achieve her goals. The learner's self-reflection on her engagement with the environments, strategic advice from her friends, and a clearer image of her ideal future self are seen as key factors for the development of her learner agency. The benefits of teachers including self-reflection during class time on learning beyond the classroom as an aid to develop learner agency are also outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self, and L2 learning experience of the L2 motivational self system (L2MSS) among Thai EFL senior high school students. It took the form of an explanatory mixed-methods research design using the L2MSS questionnaire adopted from Taguchi et al. (2009) and Subekti (2018) to collect quantitative data from 183 students and a semi-structured interview with 6 students for qualitative data. Results from the questionnaire revealed that the ideal L2 self and L2 learning experience were high, while the ought-to L2 self was moderate. The thematic content analysis generated five themes: 1) use of English in the envisioning future career, 2) entertainment as a motivator for self-study, 3) influence of external motivational factors on internal motivation, 4) the impact of learning context, and 5) threat of examination on learning for communication. The paper concludes by recommending further research on a relationship of L2MSS constructs and English learning achievement and how the three motivation constructs predict English learning achievement. Researching the roles of parents in creating English learning motivation, and peers influence on self-efficacy development as a means to generate self-images is also suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current mixed-method research aimed to investigate the effects of self-constructs on self-regulation. To this end, a number of 127 Iranian EFL learners were chosen randomly as the sample of the study. To collect data, semi-structured interviews were designed. Also, correlation analysis and regression analysis were run on the data. The results of interview data suggested that motivated learners who reported self-regulation tended to display positive visualization of their ideal L2 self and self-efficacy beliefs. Besides, the result of correlation analysis indicated that ideal L2 self had stronger association with self-efficacy beliefs than with self-regulation, suggesting that it is necessary to hold positive beliefs towards language learning in order to visualize oneself as a proficient and successful language user. Of the two self-constructs, self-regulation turned out to be most strongly associated with self-efficacy followed by ideal L2 self indicating that what characterizes self-regulated learners is that their levels of self-efficacy is higher compared to those who are not. Finally, the result of regression analysis revealed that self-efficacy and, to the lesser extent, ideal L2 self were found as direct predictors of self-regulation. It seems unlikely to be a motivated learner without the actual beliefs in ones’ ability and a strong actualization of one’s image as a successful language user.

Learners' emotions in learning a foreign language are claimed to shape complicated dynamic associations contributing to their motivational and linguistic outcomes, as evidenced by recent research in this area. In order to advance this research area, this study sought to investigate the foreign language enjoyment (FLE) and foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA) as the predictors of ideal L2 self in Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. The total number of 195 English-major students from various universities completed an online survey containing the three scales in question. The measurement models were first verified using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Then, the structural model for the relations among the variables was tested employing structural equation modeling (SEM). The SEM results showed that although FLE and FLCA significantly predicted ideal L2 self, FLE was a stronger predictor of ideal L2 self than FLCA. This study provides significant pedagogical implications for EFL practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learners’ emotions in learning a foreign language are claimed to shape complicated dynamic associations contributing to their motivational and linguistic outcomes, as evidenced by recent research in this area. In order to advance this research area, this study sought to investigate the foreign language enjoyment (FLE) and foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA) as the predictors of ideal L2 self in Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. The total number of 195 English-major students from various universities completed an online survey containing the three scales in question. The measurement models were first verified using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Then, the structural model for the relations among the variables was tested employing structural equation modeling (SEM). The SEM results showed that although FLE and FLCA significantly predicted ideal L2 self, FLE was a stronger predictor of ideal L2 self than FLCA. This study provides significant pedagogical implications for EFL practitioners.

Despite the well-established importance and effectiveness of pragmatic instruction in expediting ESL and EFL learners’ pragmatic development as frequently corroborated by many scholars, the cognitive and psychological dimensions of learners in pragmatic learning and the way those might impact their pragmatic learning has so far received insufficient attention. Therefore, the present study has made every possible effort to delve into the possible impact of ideal L2 self, and ought-to L2 self on EFL Learners’ L2 functional use. Fifty-two Iranian English students took part in this research project. First, the two questionnaires (i.e. ideal L2 self and ought-to L2 self) adopted from Dörnyei and Taguchi (2010) were distributed among the participants. Moreover, the participants went through a six-week instructional period and received pragmatic instruction at the end of their regular class hour for thirty minutes. Finally, all the participants were required to complete two discourse completion tests containing eight scenarios borrowed from both Schauer’s (2009), and Jalilifar’s (2009) as pretest and posttest. This would enable the researchers to assess the participants’ pre- and post-instructional pragmatic knowledge. Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests were run to analyze the data. The findings indicate that high ideal L2 self group significantly outperformed the high ought-to L2 self group with regard to their pragmatic performances on discourse completion tests. The study further implies that factors such as the individuals’ ideal L2 self can be regarded as determining and pivotal when it comes to the amount of learning that takes place in learners with either high ideal L2 self or those with high ought-to L2 self.

This article aims to reveal how learners make use of a space for self-directed learning to promote collaborative autonomous learning, drawing on data collected at a Japanese language institution for the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) care worker candidates in Osaka. The data analysis shows that, through the activities the learners chose and organized, they imagined an ideal L2 self and created their own L2 world. As soon as the self-directed learning session had started, they created their own group on Facebook and promoted learning activities which were related with their real lives in Japan. These activities on Facebook created a learning space beyond the classroom. These online activities they engaged in eventually returned to the classroom space and led to them increasingly taking ownership of the physical space. This research reveals that an important factor for self-directed learning is providing learners spaces and allowing them to explore the boundaries and possibilities of that space. The learners in this case study used the space to translate their past experiences and present emotions into the second language context, and moreover, to strategize for the future. To encourage collaborative autonomous learning, the activities must be organized around learners’ inner worlds where their emotions, experiences and futures exist.

Theoretical basis of this paper is the heuristic L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS). The research aims to determine the degree to which the ideal L2 self can be regarded as a significant factor with regards to its power to make a difference in students' actual motivated behaviour in L2 communication. The research sample consists of 396 students. The ideal L2 self is a predictor variable. Willingness to communicate and the obtained grades are criterion variables. Gender, period of time spent learning English / German, and whether students are residing in the country where the target language is spoken are all moderator variables. Systematic non-experimental observation method based on Dörnyei and Taguchi's survey was used in this study. Cronbach's alpha indicated high reliability in the presented sample (.92). Willingness to communicate was investigated using McCroskey's questionnaire. The findings indicate a rather complex picture of the observed L2 MSS constructs and the importance of their components in the field of L2 learning. Therefore, for further research, it is suggested that the ideal L2 self should be divided into two constructs: obligations that the individual would like to comply with and obligations that others expect him/her to comply with. The contribution of the L2 learning experience should also be considered because otherwise, it is difficult to determine the progress of the model design and what to do with it in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a highly important affective variable, motivation has always been a focus of research in second/foreign language (SL/FL) learning and proved to play a critical role in SL/FL learning. Even so, considering the complex and dynamic nature of SL/FL motivation, it always deserves research. Guided by the newly proposed framework of L2 Motivational Self System (Dörnyei, 2005, 2009), the present mixed-method study hence explored Chinese English majors’ L2 motivational self. One hundred and one English majors from a prestigious university in Beijing answered the questionnaire and 15 of them were interviewed in the present study. Analyses of the data revealed the following main findings: 1) the participants were generally highly motivated to learn English, had vivid images of themselves as proficient English users in the future, had positive appraisals of their L2 learning experiences, and had a moderately good perception of their ought-to L2 self, 2) senior students reported having significantly higher ideal L2 self and held more positive attitudes towards English learning experience. Based on these findings, some pedagogical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

The L2 motivational self system (L2MSS) theory (Dörnyei, 2005) has been the dominant theory in L2 motivation research for over a decade now, yet it has been scarcely investigated in the Greek education context. The present study explores the ideal L2 self, the ought-to L2 self, instrumentality promotion and instrumentality prevention aspects of Greek junior high school students (N=598) in relation to demographic variables such as gender, school grade, self-reported competence, extra language classes and parental educational level. The results indicated the following order of frequencies in the motivational variables in descending order: instrumentality promotion, ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self, and instrumentality prevention. The anova results indicated that females and students who have higher perceived level of competence, attend extra language classes and whose parents' are more educated demonstrate statistically significantly higher scores in ideal l2 self and instrumentality promotion. The results are discussed in relation motivation enhancement teaching interventions. (151 words) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an interdisciplinary science, SLA studies are receptive to ideas formulated in other disciplines. Although the relevance of psychology for SLA is often underestimated, its influence has recently grown with the advent of neurosciences and the increased interest in learner variables. One f concept from psychology that is potentially interesting is theories of the self, some of which have recently been adapted into research on foreign language learner motivation. In this article, we examine two particular psychological concepts (possible selves and self-discrepancy) as sources of an influential L2 motivation model -- Dörnyei's L2 Motivational Self System -- which is very little debated in French SLA literature. We outline the main points of the three theories, analyse them and try to assess the adaptation process. As in any case of transfer between disciplines, the source theories are altered, but the result has proven a meaningful and enriching addition to studies of L2 motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to find the relationship between learners’ L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS), consisting of Ideal L2 Self, ought-to L2 Self, and L2 Learning Experience and their achievement. The participants of this quantitative study were 56 Indonesian undergraduate students who were taking English for Biotechnology class, an English for Academic Purpose (EAP) class. This study was conducted based on several rationales. Despite many researchers’ support on L2MSS’ strength in predicting L2 learning, they have not conclusively established the extent to which learners’ motivation measured with their L2MSS influences their achievements and to date, there have only been few studies investigating the relationships between L2MSS and actual learning achievements. Besides, despite L2MSS’ growing popularity in the field of motivational research, motivational studies using L2MSS in the Indonesian university context are generally still very rare. Hence, this study can serve to pave a way for further motivational studies using L2MSS in the context. The study found that in general learners had high a level of motivation as measured with L2MSS questionnaires. The study further found several results which were rather surprising. First, Ideal L2 Self and L2 Learning Experience did not have significant relationships with achievement. Even ought-to L2 Self and achievement correlated negatively. It was also found that, despite many experts’ support on L2MSS’s strength in predicting L2 learning, the participants’ L2MSS could not be a strong predictor of their achievement. Based on the results, discussions on possible contributing factors were presented along with the implications of this study results in the field of motivational studies. Based on the possible limitations of the study, furthermore, some directions for future studies are also presented.

This article reports the first meta-analysis of the L2 motivational self system (Dörnyei, 2005, 2009). A total of 32 research reports, involving 39 unique samples and 32,078 language learners, were meta-analyzed. The results showed that the three components of the L2 motivational self system (the ideal L2 self, the oughtto L2 self, and the L2 learning experience) were significant predictors of subjective intended effort (rs = .61, .38, and .41, respectively), though weaker predictors of objective measures of achievement (rs = .20, -.05, and .17). Substantial heterogeneity was also observed in most of these correlations. The results also suggest that the strong correlation between the L2 learning experience and intended effort reported in the literature is, due to substantial wording overlap, partly an artifact of lack of discriminant validity between these two scales. Implications of these results and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is an interview study of Eldin, a 14-year-old Bosnian boy living in Sweden since the age of six. The aim is to investigate how Eldin became a gamer and how he, strongly motivated, learned foreign/second (L2) English mainly through self-access gameplay. Using language learning motivation theories, Dörnyei’s (2005, 2009) L2 Motivational Self System and Dweck’s (2006) concept of mindsets, the questions are: (i) By whom and at what age was the learner introduced to video games?, (ii) What was it about the games that kept the learner motivated for two years before he started to play ‘for real’?, and (iii) How does the learner himself describe his process of language learning? Data consist of an in-depth interview and three university-level vocabulary/multiple-choice tests measuring English proficiency. Guided by the questions, interview data were analyzed qualitatively. Eldin’s mindset seems to favor naturalistic language learning, matching his interest in gaming. Experiences of having fun and daring to use ‘trial-and-error’ in gaming have contributed to his English proficiency, which is equivalent to a passing grade at second-semester university level. Elements of gaming (in particular, competition, stories, and escapism) appeal to Eldin, thereby indirectly contributing to his successful learning of English.

Introduction: This study delves into the intricate network of motivational factors that influence online learning satisfaction among intermediate-level English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in mainland China., Methods: A diverse sample of 496 EFL students participated in this research. Structural Equation Modeling was employed as the analytical method., Results: The results of the study reveal significant and positive relationships between ideal L2 self and L2 grit with online learning satisfaction. Additionally, online learning self-efficacy emerged as a crucial mediator between ideal L2 self and online learning satisfaction, as well as between L2 grit and online learning satisfaction., Discussion: These findings provide valuable insights into the motivational dynamics within online language learning contexts. They offer practical implications for educators and instructional designers seeking to enhance students' online learning experiences., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Sun and Mu.)

This study was conducted to find the relationship between learners' L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS), consisting of Ideal L2 Self, ought-to L2 Self, and L2 Learning Experience and their achievement. The participants of this quantitative study were 56 Indonesian undergraduate students who were taking English for Biotechnology class, an English for Academic Purpose (EAP) class. This study was conducted based on several rationales. Despite many researchers' support on L2MSS' strength in predicting L2 learning, they have not conclusively established the extent to which learners' motivation measured with their L2MSS influences their achievements and to date, there have only been few studies investigating the relationships between L2MSS and actual learning achievements. Besides, despite L2MSS' growing popularity in the field of motivational research, motivational studies using L2MSS in the Indonesian university context are generally still very rare. Hence, this study can serve to pave a way for further motivational studies using L2MSS in the context. The study found that in general learners had high a level of motivation as measured with L2MSS questionnaires. The study further found several results which were rather surprising. First, Ideal L2 Self and L2 Learning Experience did not have significant relationships with achievement. Even ought-to L2 Self and achievement correlated negatively. It was also found that, despite many experts' support on L2MSS's strength in predicting L2 learning, the participants' L2MSS could not be a strong predictor of their achievement. Based on the results, discussions on possible contributing factors were presented along with the implications of this study results in the field of motivational studies. Based on the possible limitations of the study, furthermore, some directions for future studies are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the inception of the L2 motivational self system (Dörnyei, 2005), which operationalises motivation as a function of learners’ future identities, the field of L2 motivation has seen a growing interest in mental imagery. Numerous studies have examined the role of a future self-guide, that is, the ideal L2 self, and have confirmed it to be powerful for explaining learner motivation (e.g., Csizér & Lukács, 2010; Dörnyei & Ushioda, 2009); however, few studies have explored how mental imagery, a key dimension of the ideal L2 self (Dörnyei & Chan, 2013), can manifest itself in actual motivated behaviour. Using in-depth interviews, the present study aims to explore the motivational capacity of the natural use of mental imagery in three doctoral candidates studying at a British university. The main research focuses on examining how imagery was employed to stimulate the participants’ L2 learning and their doctoral research as well as career choice. This paper proposes a conceptual framework of types, functions, and conditions of imagery in academic and professional achievements based on the data obtained. It reveals an intriguing array of imagery types, functions, and conditions, which shape the achievement of the individuals’ desired goals. Recommendations and implications for future research on imagery use in SLA are also discussed.

One of the most recent theoretical developments when it comes to the role of motivation in second language learning is the theory of the L2 motivational self system (e.g., Dörnyei, 2005). It has been proposed in recognition of the fact that learning a foreign language does not only involve acquiring a new communicative code, but also affects the personality of an individual, the difficulties involved in applying Gardner’s (1985) concept of integrativeness to foreign language contexts, as well as the mounting empirical evidence (e.g., Dörnyei & Csizér, 2002), demonstrating that key components of motivation, such as integrativeness, instrumentality, attitudes towards L2 speakers or manifestations of motivated learning behavior are intricately interrelated. As a result, the notion of integrativeness has been reinterpreted as the L2-specific aspect of an individual’s ideal self and the motivational system is believed to comprise the following three dimensions: (a) ideal L2 self, which is related to the abilities and skills that learners envisage themselves possessing, which may trigger a desire to reduce the distance between their actual and ideal selves, (b) ought-to L2 self, which is connected with the attributes that the learners believe are important in the eyes of significant others, and (c) L2 learning experiences, which is a context-related factor reflecting the nature of the immediate learning environment and learning experiences. This framework was applied in a qualitative study, the participants of which were 28 English majors in the last year of a three-year BA program who were interviewed about their motives for learning the target language. The analysis revealed that although motivational influences which have traditionally been regarded as important do play a role, there are a number of factors, such as family influence, instrumentality, knowledge orientation or international posture, that are also of vital importance.

Students who secure admission to the universities in Sri Lanka do not pay attention on learning English as a Second Language (L2) when they sit for their qualifying examination for the universities. Once they enter the university they get different perceptions of the world including that of the importance of English. This study investigates the perceptions on the motivation levels and the bicultural identity of the freshmen at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The perceptions of the learners are investigated under three different categories; Ideal L2 Self, Ought L2 Self, and L2 Learning Experience. This endeavour studies the learners' L2 selves and the factors that impact the L2 selves. A questionnaire has been administered to gather data from the informants and the results reveal the factors contributing to the L2 identity construct of the particular Tamil medium learners. The collected data has been analyzed based on the factors for the motivating capacity of the Ideal and Ought Selves which would to hinder or enhance the motivational impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]