The significance and motivational impact of posing the question to students “Why do you study that foreign language?”

An investigation into the inner transformation of one international student over the course of a semester

Abstract

First, this paper surveys research on "motivation" in language learning and points out how researchers discuss the "self" of students only in terms of being foreign-language learners. Next, the paper introduces a case of an international student who strengthened her motivation to study Japanese after she realized how her ideal self-image was interconnected with her academic pursuits. The student came to her realization in the course of doing activities in which the author posed the question why she studied Japanese. In conclusion, this paper insists on the need for educators to broaden and deepen perspectives on the "self" through questioning students on the reasons why they study foreign language.