KATSUYUKI KONNO -
TSUTOMU KOGA (Ryukoku University)
RINTARO SATO (Nara University of Education)
KOJI MAEDA (Nara University of Education)

RECONSIDERING THE L2 MOTIVATIONAL SELF-SYSTEM WITH A FOCUS ON OWN AND OTHER SELF GUIDES : PSYCHOLOGY FOR LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING

Since the L2 motivational self-system was proposed, many studies have reported that the ideal L2 self is a robust predictor of motivation. However, some argued that the ought-to L2 self also contributed to motivation. These conflicting results called for the revision of the self-system, and consequently, a more comprehensive model of self guides (i.e., the ideal L2 self own/other and ought-to L2 self own/other) was introduced. Thus, we examined whether this model can be applicable to the Japanese EFL context and analyzed relationships among the L2 selves and language learning effort. A total of 181 Japanese learners responded to a questionnaire measuring learning effort and four self guides. The data were then factor analyzed, and the result showed the four discrete factors, suggesting a good fitness of the the model. The result of regression analysis demonstrated that the ideal L2 self own was the only statistically significant predictor. Finally, we administered cluster analysis and discovered that a group with the highest ideal L2 self own resulted in the highest learning effort. In conclusion, Japanese learners possessed four self guides at the various levels, and the ideal L2 self own was the best predictor of successful language learning.

Katsuyuki Konno is an Associate Professor at Ryukoku University, Japan. His research interests include language learning motivation and willingness to communicate, and their effects on language learning behaviors.

Tsutomu Koga is an Associate Professor at Ryukoku University, Japan. His research interests include dynamic aspects of individual difference variables, especially motivation, anxiety, and willingness to communicate with attention paid to language of instruction and use of communicative and cooperative activities.

Rintaro Sato is a Professor in the Department of English Education of Nara University of Education, Japan. His research interests include intake and output processing, feedback, and negotiation of meaning. He is currently interested in willingness to communicate and teaching approaches in the EFL environment.

Koji Maeda is a Vice President and Professor at Nara University of Education. His interests include English Education, teaching methodologies, and willingness to communicate in the EFL context.