Analyzing the relationships among the L2 motivational self system components, L2 anxiety, and intended effort among chinese learners of Japanese: a structural equation modeling

The interplay between motivational constructs and affective factors plays a pivotal role in shaping learners’ behavioral engagement within second language acquisition (SLA). This study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships among components of the L2 motivational se...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hongya Pan, Shusheng Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Education
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2529075
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Summary:The interplay between motivational constructs and affective factors plays a pivotal role in shaping learners’ behavioral engagement within second language acquisition (SLA). This study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships among components of the L2 motivational self-system (L2MSS), L2 anxiety, and intended effort among Chinese learners of Japanese. A questionnaire survey was administered to 465 college students to assess their motivational orientations, learning experiences, anxiety levels, and intended effort. The results showed that the ideal L2 self and positive learning experience negatively predicted L2 anxiety, whereas ought-to L2 self and negative learning experience positively predicted L2 anxiety. The ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self, and positive learning experience positively predicted intended effort, while L2 anxiety and negative learning experience had negative effects on intended effort. Negative learning experience played a significant moderating role in the relationship between L2MSS and intended effort. The findings of the current study offer valuable implications for supporting Chinese learners of Japanese by emphasizing the need to foster positive motivational self-images and mitigate anxiety through constructive learning experiences.
ISSN:2331-186X