Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 15. Number 4, December 2024 Pp.377- 399

Empirical Study of L2 Motivation and Motivational Learning Behaviors among College Students in English for Medicine Class

Language Academy, Faculty of Human Science and Humanities,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
&
Department of English, Pinghu Normal School,
Jiaxing University, Zhejiang, China

Corresponding Author: suna9180@gmail.com.com

Language Academy, Faculty of Human Science and Humanities,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia

Center of Teachers’ Development,
Jiaxing University, Zhejiang, China

Abstract:

This study examines the relationship between L2 motivation and motivational learning behaviors among college students enrolled in an English for Medicine course at a university in Zhejiang, China. It aims to help language teachers gain a deeper understanding of the relationship among constructs in the L2 Motivational Self System and how constructs like the Ideal L2 Self, Ought-to L2 Self, and Second Language Learning Experience influence students’ motivational learning behaviors using the L2 Motivational Self System framework. Eighty medical students were included as a sample, and a structured questionnaire was used to gather the quantitative data. Through a quantitative analysis, it is found that the students’ motivational learning behaviors are significantly predicted by both L2 motivation and Second Language Learning Experience, with a moderate influence from the Ideal L2 Self. Additionally, the Ought-to L2 Self had less impact on the students’ learning behaviors. The findings show that fostering intrinsic motivation and providing a supportive learning environment is necessary to improve students’ engagement and effort in English for medicine courses.

Cite as:

Su, N., Othman, R., & Su, H. (2024). Empirical Study of L2 Motivation and Motivational Learning Behaviors among College Students in English for Medicine Class. Arab World English Journal, 15(4): 377- 399

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Na Su is a current PhD candidate at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. She is also a faculty member of Jiaxing University in China. Her areas of expertise are Communicative Language Teaching and Learning, ESP, and Technology-assisted Learning and Teaching.
ORCid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2215-5575

Dr. Rohani Binti Othman is a graduate faculty member at UTM. Her research interests are TESL, Engineering Education, Engineering Communication, Communication at the Workplace, Assessment of Communication Skills, Outcome-Based Education (OBE), and Multidisciplinary Research integrating communication into engineering courses and evaluating students’ achievement in communication skills outcomes. ORCid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6230- 0442

Hailin Su is a director of the Center of Teachers’ Development at Jiaxing University in China. Her areas of expertise are higher education management and customers’ behavior. ORCid ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6008-8716