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A Micro Study on L2 Motivation in Classroom Context from the Perspective of Dynamic Systems Theory

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Online published: 2021-11-05

Abstract

From the perspective of the Dynamic Systems Theory, this study conducted a dynamic micro inspection of four non English major college students' L2 classroom motivation by the use of the instruments of motometer, classroom observation and semi structured interview. The study affirmed that L2 motivation can be successfully explored by using a dynamic systems framework. The results showed that (1) the overall average of the experimental linear results cannot accurately reflect the actual situation of individual learners, and individual difference cannot be viewed as background noise during the dynamic development of L2 motivation; (2) attractor factors exist, especially the learners' goal orientation which acts as the higher order attractor in L2 classroom; (3) butterfly effect occurs in L2 motivation, since different L2 learners may show distinct reflections towards the same classroom activity; and (4) the classroom context is an organic component in the L2 motivation system. The learner's self organization ability interacts with the classroom context, therefore contributing to the development of L2 motivation.

Cite this article

XU Zhixin, FENG Xinhua . A Micro Study on L2 Motivation in Classroom Context from the Perspective of Dynamic Systems Theory[J]. Contemporary Foreign Languages Studies, 2016 , 16(02) : 38 -43 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2016.02.007

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