Exploring The Dynamics Of College Students' EFL Learning Motivation

Learning motivation is one of the main factors of individual differences in second or foreign language acquisition,which has an important impact on second or foreign language attainment.In most previous researches,quantitative methods were adopted fort a large-scale investigation and research from a synchronic perspective.However,neither can this research paradigm capture differences in individual learners' motivation,nor does it have an insight into diachronic characteristics of learning motivation.Using the framework of the second language motivation self system and dynamic systems theory,the author,adopting a qualitative approach,has investigated the dynamics of college students' EFL learning motivation.Instruments include introspective interview outline,classroom observation tally sheet,motivational intensity trajectory chart and participants' reflection essay.The research results show that:(1)initial conditions on learning motivation differ from person to person;(2)there exist non-linear relationship between initial conditions and motivational intensity;(3)English learning motivation presents dynamic trend as time goes by;factors influencing motivational intensity not only include internal ones such as learning interest,anxiety,achievement and etc,but embrace external ones like social environment,school environment,classroom environment and etc.The research results have important implications for the second language acquisition and foreign language teaching research: researchers who studied individual differences should shift from traditional linear model to dynamic perspective,to study individual differences;foreign language teachers should pay attention to individual differences between learners,to seek ways and methods of strengthening English learners' motivation.