Although there is extensive research into what constitutes second language learning motivation and how it works, most of the existing work is carried out in ESL environments, and is mainly concerned with motivation to communicate using the target language. However, in EFL environments such as Japan, students have quite limited contact with target language communities, and consequently need to rely largely on written form of input. Thus, this study attempted to investigate the relationship between how students' motivation/attitudes toward reading in English and a specific reading task, and how much they read outside of class. The results of the study imply that the following two motivational constructs were significant predictors of the amount of reading: (1) a factor indicative of students' study habits, and (2) a factor of task-specific motivation indicative of students' lack of intrinsic value of stories. Surprisingly, neither sub-factors of reading motivation nor proficiency scores were found to be significant predictors.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Au, S.Y.1988 'A Critical Appraisal of Gardner's Socio-psychological Theory of Second-Language (L2) Learning', Language Learning38: 75-100.
2.
Clement, R.1980 `Ethnicity, Contact and Communicative Competence in a Second Language', in H. Giles, W.P. Robinson and P.M. Smith (eds.), Language: Social Psychological Perspective (Toronto: Pergamon Press).
3.
'Second Language Proficiency and Acculturation: An Investigation of the Effects of Language Status and Individual Characteristics', Journal of Language and Social Psychology5: 271-90.
4.
Clement, R., Z. Dörnyei and K. Noels1994 'Motivation, Self-confidence, and Group Cohesion in the Foreign Language Classroom', Language Learning44: 417-48.
5.
Crookes, G., and R. Schmidt1991 'Motivation: Reopening the Research Agenda', Language Learning41.4: 469-512.
6.
Dörnyei, Z.1990 'Conceptualizing Motivation in Foreign-Language Learning' , Language Learning40.1: 45-78.
7.
1994a 'Motivation and Motivating in the Foreign Language Classroom ', Modern Language Journal78.3: 273-84.
8.
1994b 'Understanding L2 Motivation: On with the Challenge!', Modern Language Journal78.4: 515-23.
9.
1996 `Moving Language Learning Motivation to a Larger Platform for Theory and Practice', in R.L. Oxford (ed.), Language Learning Motivation: Pathways to the New Century (Honolulu: University of Hawai'i, Second Language Teaching & Curriculum Center): 89-101.
10.
1998 'Motivation in Second and Foreign Language Learning', Language Teaching Research31: 117-35.
11.
Dörnyei, Z., and I. Otto1998 'Motivation in Action: A Process Model of L2 Motivation' , Working Papers in Applied Linguistics, Thames Valley University, London4: 43-69.
12.
Eccles, J.1983 'Expectancies, Values and Academic Behaviors', in J.T. Spence (ed.), Achievement and Achievement Motives (San Francisco: Freeman).
13.
Eccles, S., and A. Wigfield1995 'In the Mind of the Actor: The Structure of Adolescents Achievement Task Values and Expectancy-related Beliefs', Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin21: 215-25.
14.
Ely, C.1986 'Language Learning Motivation: A Descriptive and Causal Analysis', Modern Language Journal70: 28-35.
15.
Gardner, R.C.1979 `Social-psychological Aspects of Second Language Acquisition ', in H. Giles and R. St Clair (eds.), Language and Social Psychology (Oxford: Basil Blackwell).
16.
1980 'On the Validity of Affective Variables in Second Language Acquisition: Conceptual, Contextual, and Statistical Considerations', Language Learning30: 255-70.
17.
1985Social Psychology and Second Language Learning ( London: Edward Arnold).
18.
1988'The Socio-educational Model of Second-Language Learning: Assumptions, Findings, and Issues', Language Learning38: 101-126.
19.
1996'Motivation and Second Language Acquisition: Perspectives' , Journal of the CAAL18: 19-42.
20.
Gardner, R.C., and W.E. Lambert1959 'Motivational Variables in Second Language Acquisition' , Canadian Journal of Psychology13: 266-272.
21.
Gardner, R.C., and P.D. MacIntyre1991 'An Instrumental Motivation in Language Study: Who Says It Isn't effective?', Studies in Second Language Acquisition13. 57-72.
22.
1992 'A Student's Contributions to Second Language Learning. Part I: Cognitive Variables', Language Teaching25: 211-20.
23.
1993 'A Student's Contributions to Second Language Learning. Part II: Affective Variables', Language Teaching26: 218-33.
24.
Gardner, R.C., and P.F. Tremblay1994 'On Motivation, Research Agendas, and Theoretical Frameworks' , Modern Language Journal78: 359-68.
25.
Gardner, R.C., P.F. Tremblay and A. Masgoret1997 'Towards a Full Model of Second Language Learning: An Empirical Investigation', Modern Language Journal81: 344-62.
26.
Gliksman, L., R.C. Gardner and P.C. Smythe1982 'The Role of the Integrative Motive on Students' Participation in the French Classroom', Canadian Modern Language Review38: 625-47.
27.
Koizumi, R., and K. Matsuo1993 'A Longitudinal Study of Attitudes and Motivation in Learning English among Japanese Seventh-Grade Students', Japanese Psychological Research35.1: 1-11.
28.
MacIntyre, P.D., R. Clement, Z. Dornyei and K. Noels1998 `Conceptualizing Willingness to Communicate in a L2: A Situational Model of L2 Confidence and Affiliation', Modern Language Journal82: 545-62.
29.
Meece, J., A. Wigfield and J. Eccles1990 'Predictors of Math Anxiety and its Influence on Young Adolescents' Course Enrolment Intentions and Performance in Mathematics', Journal of Educational Psychology82: 60-70.
30.
Mori, S.1999 'The Role of Motivation in the Amount of Reading', Temple University Japan Working Papers in Applied Linguistics14: 51-68.
31.
Oller, J.W.1981 'Research on Affective Variables: Some Remaining Questions ', in R. Andersen (ed.), New Dimensions in Second Language Acquisition Research ( Rowley, MA: Newbury House): 14-27.
32.
Oxford, R.L., and J. Shearin1994 'Language Learning Motivation: Expanding the Theoretical Framework', Modern Language Journal78: 12-28.
33.
1996 'Language Learning Motivation in a New Key', in R.L. Oxford (ed.), Language Learning Motivation: Pathways to the New Century (Honolulu: University of Hawai'i, Second Language Teaching & Curriculum Center): 89-101.
34.
Schmidt, R., D. Boraie and O. Kassabgy1996 'Foreign Language Motivation Internal Structure and External Connections', in R.L. Oxford (ed.), Language Learning Motivation: Pathways to the New Century ( Honolulu: University of Hawai'i, Second Language Teaching & Curriculum Center): 9-70.
35.
Tabachnick, G., and S. Fidell1996Using Multivariate Statistics (New York : 3rd edn, HarperCollins College Publishers).
36.
Tremblay, P.F., and R.C. Gardner1995 'Expanding the Motivation Construct in Language Learning' , Modern Language Journal79: 505-20.
37.
Wigfield, A.1994 'Expectancy-Value Theory of Achievement Motivation: A Developmental Perspective', Educational Psychology Review6: 49-78.
38.
1997 'Reading Motivation: A Domain-specific Approach to Motivation ', Educational Psychologist32.2: 59-68.
39.
Wigfield, A., and J. Eccles1992 'The Development of Achievement Task Values: A Theoretical Analysis', Developmental Review12. 265-310.
