JALT2025 - Tokyo

The Motivation Profiles of First-Year University Students

Nov 1, 2025, 5:35 PM

30m

National Olympics Memorial Youth Center / 国立オリンピック記念青少年総合センター

Research-oriented Presentation (30-minutes) Psychology and Language Learning Room 509

Speaker

Steven Lim (Rikkyo University)

Description

This Q methodology study examines the English language learning motivation of 44 first-year university students. Analysis of a 41-card Q sort completed by the participants revealed three learner profiles: invested, intrigued, and detached. Invested learners agreed with statements related to the ideal self, intrigued learners to the language learning experience, and detached learners to the ought-to self. Ways in which these learner profiles could help align the pedagogical approach to learners’ motivation will be discussed.

Summary

This Q methodology study examines the English language learning motivation of 44 first-year university students. Analysis of a 41-card Q sort completed by the participants revealed three learner profiles: invested, intrigued, and detached. Invested learners agreed with statements related to the ideal self, intrigued learners to the language learning experience, and detached learners to the ought-to self. Ways in which these learner profiles could help align the pedagogical approach to learners’ motivation will be discussed.