Language Learning Motivation And L2 Anxiety In Saudi Military Cadets

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study of motivation to learn English and levels of L2 anxiety in Saudi military cadets, using Dörnyei’s (2009) L2 Motivational Self System as the main theoretical framework. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between L2 motivation and L2 anxiety in this under-researched context. A sample of 179 Saudi military cadets participated in this survey. Correlation and regression analyses of the data obtained[1] showed that their motivation to learn English did not differ significantly from that of L2 learners in other EFL contexts. The study also revealed a strong linear relationship between the L2 Motivational Self System and L2 anxiety. While the relationship between L2 anxiety and Ideal L2 Self was negative, the relationship between L2 anxiety and Ought-to L2 Self was positive. Finally, the study found a positive relationship between participants’ Self-Perceived Competence and their L2 motivation while the relationship between their Self-Perceived Competence and L2 anxiety was negative.