Open AccessExploring the Motivation Orientations for Learning Arabic as L2 Based on Self Determination Theory
Author(s) -
OMAR JAMA
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
international journal of linguistics and translation studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2724-0908
DOI - 10.36892/ijlts.v3i1.202
Subject(s) - arabic , categorization , psychology , context (archaeology) , mathematics education , language acquisition , identity (music) , linguistics , computer science , artificial intelligence , geography , philosophy , physics , archaeology , acoustics
The number of enrollment in Arabic language classes in the last two decades experienced a remarkable spike worldwide. Hence, exploring students’ motivation in learning Arabic language as L2 has gained considerable scholarly attention in various contexts. This study aims to explore the motivation orientations of Arabic language learners at King Khalid University based on Self-determination Theory ( SDT). A total of 52 students of Arabic, in the first and second year, were randomly selected. A 19-item questionnaire based on SDT was administrated to the participants via online. A principle component analysis was primarily employed (PCA) to categorize the questionnaire items into distinctive and latent factors. The results yielded four distinctive motivation orientations ,with an eigenvalue greater than one for each. In addition, categorial analysis was employed to analysis an open-ended item. The categorial analysis highlighted that religious reasons for learning of learning Arabic is the most frequently reported reason for learning Arabic as l2 among this population. Moreover, the results showed that religious identity and religious motives have a latent role in determining the students’ overall motivation orientations in learning Arabic. Also, the results showed that demotivating factors could possibly exist among learners of Arabic in the Saudi context.