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Study Abroad Research in Second Language Acquisition and International Education
Vol. 5:2 (2020) ► pp.208–229

The influence of a study abroad program on Japanese university students’ motivation and the elaboration of motivational L2 selves

| Bond University

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.

Keywords: learner perceptions, motivational variables, educational culture, learning experience, second language learning context
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
  • References
Published online: 7 October 2020
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/sar.19006.mat
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