Iranian EFL Learners’ L2 Motivational Self System: A Study of Selves and Attitudes Towards L2 Culture and Community

Abstract

Adopting the framework of Dornyie’s second language (L2) motivational self system, the main purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between two aspects of L2 selves (i.e., ideal L2 self and ought-to L2 self) and attitudes towards L2 culture and community. To this end, a large scale attitudinal questionnaire by Taguchi et al. (2009) were employed among 120 Iranian EFL learners and correlation and regression analyses were implemented on the data. The results of correlation confirmed that both ideal and ought-to L2 selves associated to attitudes towards L2 culture and community; however, the degree of association of ideal L2 self seemed to be much stronger than that of ought-to L2 self. Also, regression analyses showed that in Iran, L2 learners had stronger link with L2 culture and their selves, especially their idealized self-image, was affected and shaped by values of L2 culture. However, their obliged self-image was affected by values of their own society.