Exploring directed motivational currents in Japanese EFL classroom

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K02983
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Foreign language education
• Research Institution: Seisen University.
• Principal Investigator: Agawa Toshie 清泉女子大学, 付置研究所, 教授 (90409805)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 外国語教育学 / 動機づけ / DMCs / 複線径路等至性アプローチ（TEA）

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project involved interviewing Japanese EFL learners who had experienced Directed Motivational Currents (DMCs). Through the investigation, I was able to confirm the four characteristics of DMCs: specific and significant goals, triggering factors and launch, the structure of the process, and positive emotionality. In addition to what is proposed in the DMC theory, the research project also revealed that "rebounding from stumbles and failures" is a factor that can enhance L2 motivation, and that "updating goals" are factors that may sustain the motivational momentum.
During the study period, I presented 16 papers at international and domestic conferences and published three articles in academic journals on DMCs and English language learners' motivation.

Free Research Field

英語学習者の動機づけ

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

英語学習者の動機づけは、多くの教育者、研究者が関心を寄せるトピックである。本研究は、英語学習者のやる気の変化の過程を調査し、その変化がどのようにもたらされるのか、また、やる気を継続させることができている学習者にはどのような特徴があるかについて示唆を与えることができた。このことは学術的意義があるだけでなく、教育現場に対する貢献にも結び付くと考える。