What Makes Good Language Learners?
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Authors
Koga, Tsutomu
Konno, Katsuyuki
Issue Date
2025
Type
Working Paper
Language
en_US
Keywords
ESOL, ESL, EFL, teaching English, second language motivation, willingness to communicate
Alternative Title
A Study of EFL Students’ Motivational Profiles
Abstract
This study attempted to reveal Japanese EFL learners’ motivational profiles through cluster analysis and to examine how
these profiles were interrelated with communication variables. This approach made it possible to offer a clearer picture of
so-called good language learners from the perspectives of motivation to learn and willingness to use the target language. The
results of the cluster analysis identified four distinct groups of learners. Among them, two groups exhibited lower
motivational and communication variables, which is not surprising in EFL learning contexts where English is not necessary
for future living. By contrast, the remaining two groups showed higher motivational and communication variables, but one
group showed higher extrinsic motivation and the ought-to L2 self than the other. A novel finding of this study pertained to
the coexistence of intrinsic motivation/ideal L2 self and extrinsic motivation/ought-to L2 self, which was once believed to
conflict with each other.
Description
Citation
Koga, T. & Konno, K. (2025). What makes good language learners? A study of EFL students’ motivational profiles. TESOL Working Papers Series, 23, 1-13.
Publisher
Hawaii Pacific University
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
2573-1467