Abstract Summary
In this study, the researcher examined how learners’ language learning motivation has changed over the course of the academic year in TBLT foreign language courses. Results suggest that persistence in L2 learning is a combination of long-term goals and vision with the personality characteristic of Grit.
Abstract :
Motivation has been known as a key factor in successful language learning. In fact, a growing body of research has recently focused on the significant role of foreign language learners' self-representations in their language learning motivation (Dörnyei, 2009; Dörnyei & Ushioda, 2011). At the same time, less-commonly taught languages like Japanese, learners are having a harder time finding their future self-representation using Japanese even they are in advanced Japanese courses. It is difficult to imagine the successful achievement of long-term goals such as language learning without learners’ persistence. Grit, one of the personal traits based on an individual's perseverance of effort combined with the passion for a particular long-term goal (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews & Kelly, 2007) has been used to examine the learners’ persistence towards reaching their goals in language learning (Keegan, 2017).
In this study, the researcher examined how learners’ language learning motivation has changed over the course of the academic year while they have taken Task-based Language teaching (TBLT) foreign language courses. The tasks are designed to engage learners in language learning, but a sequence of tasks also provide learners to experience a series of success by completing tasks during the process. Questionnaire data were collected from 134 university students learning Japanese as a foreign language (JFL) in the United States. Correlational analysis results demonstrated that Grit and Ideal L2 Self have a strong relationship, and repeated measure ANOVA results demonstrated that learners with high Grit improve their Ideal L2 Self over time suggesting that persistence in L2 learning is a combination of long-term goals and vision with the personality characteristic of Grit. Results and implications will be discussed with reference to how tasks influence learners’ Grit and L2 motivation.
