Motivation of Japanese Learners in Syria:

Teacher's Role as a Factor in Turning Points

Abstract

This study looks into the difficult learning environment following the Syrian crisis of 2011. The target of the study is A, whose motivation has been constantly fluctuating since starting to study the Japanese language. We will break down the factors that evidently contribute to the change in motivation. This paper is an analysis based on a life story research with two semi-structured interviews which revealed that“teacher's words” were one of the major factors and a turning point in the change of subject’s motivation.