The Dynamics Of L2 Imagery In Future Self-guides Under L2 Motivational Self System Theory

In recent years,most of researches on L2 motivation have turned to concern on investigating motivational dynamics,and the research on the dynamics of L2 imagery in future self-guides under the complex dynamic system has been a new trend in the field of L2 motivation research.As it is a new trend,few empirical studies have been done both in China and abroad,and even the studies that already have been done have taken languages other than Chinese.So the dissertation carries out an empirical study aiming to investigate the dynamics of L2 imagery of Cameroonian Chinese learners in future motivational self-guides and identify possible causes of variability in the learning process,then put forward some suggestions for the better development of Confucius Institute based on Dornyei's latest L2 motivation theory--L2 Motivational Self System(L2MSS),which applies the notion of 'self' into the research of the complexity and dynamics of L2 motivation.In particular,four research questions were raised:(1)How do the three components(the ideal L2 self,the ought-to L2 self,the L2 learning experience)in L2MSS influence learners' L2 motivation?and for learners of different ages,whetherthe influence is different or not?(2)For Chinese Learners' L2 imagery,are there any transformations in the learning process?(3)If it has changes,what kind of changes that might be involved?(4)How do these changes interact with various L2 learning variables?This study was composed of two parts:first,the questionnaire was administered to 205 participants in Cameroonian Confucius Institute and its cooperated institute in Yaounde--the Institute of Translation,Interpretation and Communication(ISTIC);second,a semi-structured interview was conducted to 21 interviewees who were divided into four groups:teenagers,undergraduates,graduates and mid-aged adults,and by the way of asking learners' conditions from teachers and communicating with students directly,after that,the content of the interviews was translated into texts and analyzed.The results of quantitative data showed:(1)the ideal L2 self of almost all of Cameroonian Chinese learners is very strong,but the ought-to L2 self is not like the ideal one,and it seems to vanish as learners grow older and older;(2)family factor combining with the ought-to self has a certain effect on Cameroonian Chinese learners' L2 self motivation,but the influencing degree also weakens as the growth of the age;(3)Cameroonian Chinese learners have a strong instrumental motivation,especially the instrumental-promotion one which is related with the ideal L2 self;(4)many participants have L2 imagery,the imagery evolves dynamically and also can be more vivid and concrete.The main findings of qualitative data revealed that:(1)Cameroonian Chinese learners have a very intensive desire of knowing Chinese well for finding jobs,making money,satisfying personal life requirement;(2)teacher's personal quality,teaching method,teaching behavior,etc influence students' passion on learning Chinese;(3)mental imagery related to L2 self-guides changes during the learners' L2 learning process.And there are interactions between L2 imagery and other three factors:motivational intensity,language learning behavior and language proficiency.In summary,the dissertation proposed some advice in terms of the findings fromquantitative and qualitative data for the future development of Confucius Institute:(1)Adjusting the content of advertisement,highlighting the benefits of learning Chinese.As almost all of Cameroonian Chinese learners have an extremely strong instrumental motivation,in the aspect of advertising methods,Confucius Institute can emphasize the benefits of learning Chinese such as free scholarship for studying in China,more job offers in Cameroonian Chinese companies or in China,high salary,etc to motivate them to learn Chinese;(2)Improving the setting of curriculum,opening more specialized courses.Confucius Institute can set a more specific curriculum on the basis of learners' employment orientation such as translation course,interpretation course,literature course,business Chinese course instead of the single type of course--comprehensive course;(3)Perfecting teachers' professional ethics,promoting their professional knowledge and skills.Teachers should have a professional ethics towards their teaching career,Confucius Institute also can hold a periodical teacher training to improve teacher's professional knowledge and skills;(4)Optimizing textbooks,Compiling more books that adapt to Cameroonian Chinese teaching.Corresponding textbooks are also essential for different courses,which will be easier for the students to understand what the teachers have taught and to study by themselves at home.Besides,textbooks of French version are also necessary because of the fact that French is Cameroon's official language and almost all of textbooks used at present are English version.