Speaker
Description
In September 2025, Studies in Second Language Acquisition published several articles calling for abandoning the L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS) as a psychology of language learning paradigm and questioning its research rigor. Together with earlier failed replications, these critiques signal the collapse of a once-dominant theory. This workshop traces how L2MSS rose to prominence, why it has fallen, and invites interactive discussion on shaping a post-L2MSS research agenda suited to Japan’s L2 context and practice.
Abstract
In the September 2025 issue of Studies in Second Language Acquisition, a field-leading journal, several articles argued for the abandonment of the L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS) as a psychology of language learning (PLL) research paradigm (cf. Al-Hoorie et al., 2025; McClelland & Larson-Hall, 2025), with other papers challenging the
research rigor of the L2MSS (cf. Oga-Baldwin, 2025; Vitta et al., 2025). Coupled with earlier failed L2MSS replications, the once-dominant theory in PLL has fallen, and the PLL research community is now “waking up” to a post-L2MSS world. In this workshop, attendees will learn how the L2MSS attained its position of prominence beginning in the 1990s and discover why it has now fallen. The workshop will also feature interactive components, allowing attendees to share their experiences with and thoughts on the L2MSS and related concepts, while collectively discussing how a post-L2MSS PLL
research community could best serve the needs of Japan's L2 setting.
References
Al-Hoorie, A. H., Hiver, P., & In’nami, Y. (2025). Looking beyond the L2 Motivational Self System: Lessons from two “lost” decades. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 47(4), 1193–1204. doi:10.1017/S0272263125101319
McClelland, N., & Larson-Hall, J. (2025). Why you should stop using the ideal L2 self and the L2 motivational self-system to measure motivation (Reaction to Al-Hoorie, Hiver, & In’nami, 2024). Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 47(4), 1121–1132. doi:10.1017/S0272263124000779
Oga-Baldwin, W. L. Q. (2025). Validation crisitunity: A response to Al-Hoorie, Hiver, and In’nami (2024). Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 47(4), 1108–1120. doi:10.1017/S0272263124000597
Vitta, J. P., Leeming, P., & Nicklin, C. (2025). Interpreting the semi-partial correlation as a multiple regression-bound (not a bivariate) metric: A methods-oriented response to Papi and Teimouri’s (2024) response to Al-Hoorie et al. (2024). Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 47(4), 1148–1169. doi:10.1017/S0272263125100946
Keywords
L2MSS, Ideal Self, Ought-to Self, Research Methods
Short summary
In September 2025, Studies in Second Language Acquisition published several articles calling for abandoning the L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS) as a psychology of language learning paradigm and questioning its research rigor. Together with earlier failed replications, these critiques signal the collapse of a once-dominant theory. This workshop traces how L2MSS rose to prominence, why it has fallen, and invites interactive discussion on shaping a post-L2MSS research agenda suited to Japan’s L2 context and practice.
| Scheduling preference | Anytime on Saturday |
|---|---|
| Title | The Rise and Fall of Dörnyei's L2MSS |