Skip to main content
Log in

Using Motivational Strategies in L2 Classrooms: Does Culture Have a Role?

  • Published:
Current Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design to examine the use of motivational strategies by Iranian English teachers and to see whether there were any culture-specific strategies. For the quantitative phase of the study, Cheng and Dörnyei’s (2007) motivational strategies questionnaire was distributed among 185 teachers to investigate their attached importance to and actual frequency of use of motivational macro strategies. In the qualitative phase, in order to explore a deep picture of the salient and specific motivational strategies and the reasons behind them, a set of semi-structured interviews with 10 volunteer teachers were conducted. Although results generally endorsed the findings of the original study and other similar ones, some culture-specific differences in strategy importance and use were traced, particularly in terms of promoting learners’ autonomy and goal-orientedness. The teachers devalued the motivational load of these variables due to the authoritarian sense of respect in their local context.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Mahrooqi, R., Abrar-Ul-Hassan, S., & Cofie Asante, C. (2012). Analyzing the use of motivational strategies by EFL teachers in Oman. Malaysian Journal of ELT Research, 8, 36–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernaus, M., Wilson, A., & Gardner, R. C. (2009). Teachers’ motivation, classroom strategy use, students’ motivation and second language achievement. Porta Linguarum, 12, 25–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chambers, G. N. (1999). Motivating language learners. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

  • Cheng, H., & Dörnyei, Z. (2007). The use of motivational strategies in language instruction: the case of EFL teaching in Taiwan. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 1, 153–174. doi:10.2167/illt048.0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clement, R., Dörnyei, Z., & Noels, K. A. (1994). Motivation, self-confidence, and group cohesion in the foreign language classroom. Language Learning, 44, 417–448. doi:10.1111/j.1467-1770.1994.tb01113.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum. doi:10.1007/978-1-4899-2271-7

  • Dörnyei, Z. (1994). Motivation and motivating in the foreign language classroom. Modern Language Journal, 78, 273–284. doi:10.1111/j.1540-4781.1994.tb02042.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dörnyei, Z. (2001a). Teaching and researching motivation. Harlow: Longman.

  • Dörnyei, Z. (2001b). Motivational strategies in the language classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511667343

  • Dörnyei, Z. (2002). The motivational basis of language learning tasks. In P. Robinson (Ed.), Individual differences and instructed language learning (pp. 137–158). Amsterdam: John Benjamins. doi:10.1075/lllt.2.10dor.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dörnyei, Z. (2009). The psychology of second language acquisition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

  • Dörnyei, Z., & Csizer, K. (1998). Ten commandments for motivating language learners: results of an empirical study. Language Teaching Research, 2, 203–229. doi:10.1177/136216889800200303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dörnyei, Z., & Malderez, A. (1997). Group dynamics and foreign language teaching. System, 25, 65–81. doi:10.1016/S0346-251X(96)00061-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dörnyei, Z., Murphey, T. (2003). Group dynamics in the language classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511667138

  • Dörnyei, Z., & Ottó, I. (1998). Motivation in action: a process model of L2 motivation. Working Papers in Applied Linguistics, 4, 43–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dörnyei, Z., & Ushioda, E. (2011). Teaching and researching motivation (2nd ed). Harlow, UK: Longman.

  • Dörnyei, Z., Henry, A., & MacIntyre, P. D. (2014). Motivational dynamics in language learning. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.

  • Gardner, R. C. (1985). Social psychology and second language learning: the role of attitudes and motivation. London: Edward Arnold.

  • Gardner, R. C., & Lambert, W. E. (1959). Motivational variables in second language acquisition. Canadian Journal of Psychology, 13, 266–272. doi:10.1037/h0083787.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guilloteaux, M. J., & Dörnyei, Z. (2008). Motivating language learners: a classroom-oriented investigation of the effects of motivational strategies on student motivation. TESOL Quarterly, 42, 55–77. doi:10.1002/j.1545-7249.2008.tb00207.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henderlong, J., & Lepper, M. R. (2002). The effects of praise on children’s intrinsic motivation: a review and synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 12, 774–795. doi:10.1037//0033-2909.128.5.774.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ivankova, N. V., & Creswell, J. W. (2009). Mixed methods. In J. Heigham, & R.A. Croker (Eds.). Qualitative research in applied linguistics: A practical introduction (pp.135–161). London: Palgrave Macmillan

  • Kiziltepe, Z. (2008). Motivation and demotivation of university teachers. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 14, 515–530. doi:10.1080/13540600802571361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klavas, A. (1994). Learning style program boosts achievement and test scores. The Clearing House, 67(3), 149–151. doi:10.1080/00098655.1994.9956048.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamb, T. (2000). Finding a voice: learner autonomy and teacher education in an urban context. In B. Sinclair, I. McGrath, & T. Lamb (Eds.), Learner autonomy, teacher autonomy: future directions (pp. 118–127). London: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamb, T. (2008). Learner autonomy and teacher autonomy. synthesizing an agenda. In: T. Lamb, H. & Reinders (Eds.), Learner and teacher autonomy: Concepts, realities and responses. (pp. 269–285)Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing. doi:10.1075/aals.1

  • Lamb, T., & Reinders, H. (2005). Learner independence in language teaching: a concept of change. In D. Cunningham & A. Hatoss (Eds.), An international perspective on language policies, practices and proficiencies (pp. 225–239). Belgrave: FIPLV.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamb, T., & Reinders, H. (2008). Learner and teacher autonomy: concepts, realities, and response. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing. doi:10.1075/aals.1

  • Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic enquiry. California: Sage.

  • Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: an expanded sourcebook. London: Sage.

  • Pintrich, P. L., & Schunk, D. H. (1996). Motivation in education: theory, research and applications. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

  • Reinders, H. (2006). Supporting independent learning through an electronic learning environment. In: T. Lamb, H. & Reinders (Eds.), Supporting independent learning: Issues and interventions. (pp. 219–235)Frankfurt: Lang.

  • Ritchie, J., & Spencer, L. (2002). Qualitative data analysis for applied policy research. In A.M. Huberman M. & B. Miles (Eds.), The qualitative researcher’s companion. (pp. 305–329) London: Sage.

  • Ruesch, A., Bown, J., & Dewey, D. P. (2012). Student and teacher perceptions of motivational strategies in the foreign language classroom. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 6, 15–27. doi:10.1080/17501229.2011.562510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair, B., McGrath, I., & Lamb, T. (2000). Learner autonomy, teacher autonomy: future directions. London: Longman.

  • Smith, R. C. (2000). Starting with ourselves: teacher-learner autonomy in language learning. In B. Sinclair, I. McGrath, & T. Lamb (Eds.), Learner autonomy, teacher autonomy: future directions (pp. 89–99). London: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sugita McEown, M., & Takeuchi, O. (2014). Motivational strategies in EFL classrooms: how do teachers impact students’ motivation? Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 8, 20–38. doi:10.1080/17501229.2012.741133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wen, W. P., & Clément, R. (2003). A Chinese conceptualisation of willingness to communicate in ESL. Language Culture and Curriculum, 16(1), 18–38. doi:10.1080/07908310308666654.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, M., & Burden, R. (1997). Psychology for language teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nourollah Zarrinabadi.

Ethics declarations

Funding

The authors received no fund for conducting or publishing this study.

Conflict of Interest

All of the authors had no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tavakoli, M., Yaghoubinejad, H. & Zarrinabadi, N. Using Motivational Strategies in L2 Classrooms: Does Culture Have a Role?. Curr Psychol 37, 477–487 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-016-9523-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-016-9523-2

Keywords

Navigation