Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons^™

An Activity Theory Analysis Of Second Language Motivational Self-System: Two Korean Immigrants' Esl Learning, Tae-Young Kim

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

This paper analyzes two recent Korean immigrants’ ESL learning motivation using Dörnyei’s (2009) Second Language (L2) Motivational Self-System, which is synthesized with Engeström’s (1999) Activity Theory (AT) framework. Over a ten month period, the author conducted semi-structured monthly interviews and stimulated recall tasks. The findings of this case study suggest the following: 1) when sociocultural factors are mediated by L2 learners’ beliefs, these factors may directly influence learners’ ideal L2 self and ought-to L2 self; 2) learners’ sensitivity with inclusive attitudes can transform the L2 learning environment into meaningful affordances; and 3) if there is no tension among elements in …

The L2 Motivational Self System Of Korean Efl Students: Cross-Grade Survey Analysis, Tae-Young Kim

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

Due to the increase in international trade, mass transportation, and information technology, the role of English as a global language has changed, and conventional EFL/ESL motivation needs paradigmatic reconstruction. This study compares Dörnyei’s (2009) recent proposal of a second language (L2) motivational self-system with Gardner’s (1985) socio-educational model by investigating 2,783 Korean students’ English learning motivation from Grades 3 through 12 in 14 different schools. The cross-grade survey results indicated that Korean EFL learners’ motivational intensity showed a curvilinear pattern, which means their motivation consistently decreased until Grade 9 but increased from Grades 10 to 12. A series of regression …

Korean Efl Students' Amotivation To Learn English: An Activity Theory Analysis, Tae-Young Kim

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

By using Dörnyei’s (2009) L2 motivational self-system, this qualitative study investigates 39 Korean EFL students’ amotivation of English learning, or the lack of motivation. Theoretically, the study was guided by Leont’ev’s (1978) activity theory, which emphasizes the unique mediation between the individual (as an active agent representing ontogenetic human development) and the social domain. I argue that an AT perspective can coherently explain students’ amotivation by paying attention to the students’ socioeducational contexts. Particularly, hakbul, or degreeocracy widespread among students and parents in Korea, is attributed to be the major reason for student amotivated but sustained English learning.

The research …

The Effect Of Korean Secondary School Students' Perceptual Learning Styles And Ideal L2 Self On Motivated L2 Behavior And English Proficiency, Yoon-Kyoung Kim, Tae-Young Kim Dr.

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

In this study, 495 Korean secondary school students' visual, auditory, and kinesthetic preferences, ideal L2 self, motivated L2 behavior, and English proficiency were analyzed based on questionnaire surveys. Identifying possible effect of the participants' perceptual learning styles and ideal L2 self on their motivated L2 behavior was followed by an investigation of all variables' impact on English proficiency. The influence of the visual learning style and the ideal L2 self on motivated L2 behavior indicates that the students' visual style preference contributes strongly to the forming of a vivid ideal L2 self, which in turn results in a higher level …