Commentary: Motivation for Learning Languages Other Than English in an English‐Dominant World

Abstract

The majority of recent research on language learning motivation has reportedly focused on English as a target language, typically in relatively homogeneous, secondary and postsecondary ‘foreign language’ settings. How applicable, then, are the theories and findings undergirding that research to our understanding of the contemporary challenges and processes involved in the learning of languages other than English (LOTEs) – whether by non‐Anglophones choosing additional or alternative languages, or for Anglophones choosing to learn a different language? And how is motivation theory itself evolving in light of the emerging role of English as a global language and a greater emphasis on sociopolitical, sociocultural, economic, and ideological aspects of language learning in diverse contexts, on the one hand, and a concomitant de‐emphasis of deficit‐oriented notions of learners’ shortcomings or traits in acquiring or using another language, on the other? What research methods are being used? Finally, how is current motivation research taking into account multilingual experiences (i.e., involving three or more languages), rather than just the learning of one additional (foreign) language? In this commentary piece, I address questions such as these by drawing on insights from the nine articles and other related sources and also offer some of my own perspectives drawing from research on Chinese and other languages.