Dörnyei’s Motivational Self-System Theory and EFL learners’ L2 Selves

Subject Areas : All areas of language and translation

Saeed Rahimi ¹ , Massoud Tajaddini ² , Neda Fatehi Rad ³

1 - English Department, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
2 - English Department, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
3 - English Department, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran

Received: 2020-11-08 Accepted : 2020-12-21 Published : 2022-04-01

Keywords: gender, Educational transition, Residential background, Second language (L2) motivation, Second language (L2) selves,

Abstract :

Trying to motivate language learners is one of the most demanding yet vital challenges faced by L2 teachers. Dealing with Dörnyei’s motivational theory, the current research was an attempt to ponder the ideal-self, ought-to-self, and L2 experience orientations of Iranian EFL high-school students. Moreover, this study examined whether there was any relationship among three L2 motivational variables across gender and residential background. To this end, 200 male and 184 female junior-high-school students were selected through cluster sampling. The newly designed L2 motivational self-system questionnaire consisted of three main variables, in which 13 items were related to Ideal L2 Self, 12 with ought-to L2 Self, and the other nine with L2 Learning Experience. The findings revealed no significant difference between male and female students in L2 motivational orientation for English learning, and female learners’ L2 motivation in English language learning was affected by L2 motivation compared to male learners. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between female and male students’ scores in ought-to L2 self. Moreover, it was found that there was no significant difference between female and male learners’ L2 experience. Regarding residential background, there was a significant difference among the mean ranks of the city participants at three L2 Motivational Orientations but there was no significant difference among the mean ranks of the rural participants at three L2 Motivational Orientations.Keywords: Educational transition; Gender; Residential background; Second language (L2) motivation; Second language (L2) selvesTrying to motivate language learners is one of the most demanding yet vital challenges faced by L2 teachers. Dealing with Dörnyei’s motivational theory, the current research was an attempt to ponder the ideal-self, ought-to-self, and L2 experience orientations of Iranian EFL high-school students. Moreover, this study examined whether there was any relationship among three L2 motivational variables across gender and residential background. To this end, 200 male and 184 female junior-high-school students were selected through cluster sampling. The newly designed L2 motivational self-system questionnaire consisted of three main variables, in which 13 items were related to Ideal L2 Self, 12 with ought-to L2 Self, and the other nine with L2 Learning Experience. The findings revealed no significant difference between male and female students in L2 motivational orientation for English learning, and female learners’ L2 motivation in English language learning was affected by L2 motivation compared to male learners. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between female and male students’ scores in ought-to L2 self. Moreover, it was found that there was no significant difference between female and male learners’ L2 experience. Regarding residential background, there was a significant difference among the mean ranks of the city participants at three L2 Motivational Orientations but there was no significant difference among the mean ranks of the rural participants at three L2 Motivational Orientations.

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