This study explored how Japanese college students maintain motivation in an EFL context in Japan, where learners inevitably encounter with great difficulties to keep learning because the context itself does not provide them with rich input and output opportunitis, although the actual use of English is indispensable for improving English proficiency. For thst purpose, a 30-item questionnaire -- Motivational Enhancemem Strategy Inventory (MESI) -- was developed through the strict processes confirming validity and reliability. The participants were 102 female Japanese college students，who were asked to answer MESI. Based on the results of explanatory factor analysis, descriptive statistics, and a Pearson product-moment correlation, it was found that learners used a combination of strategies such as enjoying Englih use, gaining a stimulus to English learning, and trying to increase output. In an EFL context, while using strategies to change their moods in addition to the strategies stated above, learners tried to maintain their motivation to keep learning. It was also found that some strategies such as having a native friend were not easily employed. This study indicates that there exist effecyive strategies for low-motivated EFL learners in order to enhance their motivation.
Motivational enhancement strategies in an EFL context : what strategies are used to maintain learners' motivation to keep learning?
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