Motivational Regulation and L2 Learning

Abstract

Chapter 3 focuses on motivational regulation in L2 learning. It first gives an overview of self-regulated language learning, pointing out that motivation, language learning strategies, and motivational regulation are the essential components. Second, it reviews the studies of L2 motivation, which suggests that the recent line of research on L2 motivation is the dynamic nature of motivation. The emphasis on the dynamic character of L2 motivation and the recent line of research on process model of L2 motivation indicate the importance of motivational self-regulation. The importance of motivational regulation for foreign language learning is also claimed by some researchers in the field of SLA, such as Dornyei and Ushioda. As for the strategies of motivational self-regulation, the related researches are summarized, such as the five main classes of self-motivating strategies proposed by Dornyei. Meanwhile, it is pointed out that motivational regulation is an ignored area in L2 research and studies on motivational regulation in FL learning are needed. Another important aspect of self-regulated language learning, that is, language learning strategies, is also introduced.