Journal Article

Language Learning Motivation and Its Role in Learner Complaint Production

Yang, He, Wu, Xinxin

2022

Overview

While motivation plays an important role in language learning, few attempts have been made to explore its significance in second language (L2) pragmatics learning. The current study investigated whether and how language learning motivation affects L2 pragmatics production. A total of 60 adult Chinese learners of English participated in this study. Data were elicited from a motivation questionnaire and a discourse completion task (DCT). The results revealed that L2 learners with high motivation performed better in making complaints in the target language than learners with low motivation. Moreover, learners’ levels of pragmatic production correlated positively with their overall L2 motivation, as well as with four motivational subscales, namely, attitudes towards learning English, ideal L2 self, intended learning efforts, and attitudes towards the L2 community. Regression analysis showed that learners’ attitude towards learning English best predicted their production of the speech act of complaints. The findings of this study support the role motivational dispositions play in learners’ L2 pragmatic production. The study provides insight into the interaction of L2 motivation and pragmatics learning.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Attitudes / Chinese languages / Complaints / Educational research / English as a second language / English as a second language learning / English language / Language / Language acquisition / Learning / Motivation / Motivation in education / Pragmatics / Production / Questionnaires / Regression analysis / Second language learning / Speech / Speech acts / Study and teaching / Sustainability / University students