A Pilot Study : The Motivation of Japanese Students to Write in English

概要

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Recent research attempts to examine the factors which facilitate second language (L2) learning motivation (Dornyei, 2001; Gardner, 1979, 1985; Gardner & MacIntyre, 1993) , and the motivational factors effects on L2 reading in English as foreign language (EFL) settings (Mori, 2002; Nishino, 2004). However, little research has been conducted to investigate motivation in L2 writing in EFL settings, except for research on L2 writing anxiety (Argaman & Abu-Rabia, 2002; Cheng, 2002; Johanson, 2001). The present pilot study proposes to expand the scope of research into L2 writing motivation in EFL situations using a modification of Mori (2002) and Nishino's (2004) studies on L2 reading motivation. In order to investigate the subcomponents of motivation which influence Japanese students' writing in English, a questionnaire was administered to the students from three universities, and principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted. The results showed that different from previous studies which supported Gardner's integrative motivation, Japanese students tended to be encouraged to write in English by instrumental motivation such as getting a better job or a good salary. Thus, the study concluded that such external rewards are the keys to motivate students. The actual implications are also discussed.
東海大学の論文
2006-03-30