Open AccessDirected Motivational Currents (DMCs) in Self-directed Language Learning: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Author(s) -
Ismail Xodabande,
Esmat Babaii
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of language and education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2411-7390
DOI - 10.17323/jle.2021.12856
Subject(s) - phenomenon , psychology , interpretative phenomenological analysis , cognitive psychology , phenomenology (philosophy) , salient , meaning (existential) , empirical research , developmental psychology , qualitative research , epistemology , psychotherapist , computer science , social science , philosophy , artificial intelligence , sociology
Directed Motivational Currents (DMCs) postulated as a novel motivational construct in second language acquisition (SLA) research to explain periods of intense and enduring behavior in pursuit of a highly valued goal or vision. Nonetheless, much of the discussion related to this new motivational phenomenon has remained theoretical, and only a limited number of empirical studies have investigated its various dimensions in language learning. The current qualitative study employed interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore a period of intense motivation experienced by an Iranian language learner in self-directed and mobile assisted language learning. The findings provided further empirical evidence for the triggering stimulus and the core characteristics of DMCs in terms of goal/vision orientedness, a salient facilitative structure, and positive emotionality in explaining the essence and the universal meaning of the phenomenon experienced by the participant of the current study.