Motivational Characteristics of Lower-level Japanese University EFL Learners

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Abstract

This paper describes an exploratory study that investigated the motivational patterns of Japanese university students classified as English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners whose English proficiency levels were assessed as low. To evaluate the motivational characteristics and the change between pre- and post- surveys, an exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted using a three psychological needs scale and a four motivation types scale based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT). The participants of the present study showed notably low intrinsic motivation and high introjected regulation. After a year of college education, most psychological needs and motivational subscales improved significantly. Although the SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) result confirmed the exploratory factor analysis, fit indices were not satisfactory. Even so, the model we constructed was in keeping with SDT and explained the reason why participants’ three psychological needs and other motivation types improved significantly.

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