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Sophia S.M. Lam

Michelle W.T. Cheng

Wong Jessie Sin Ying

The Education University of Hong Kong, SAR China

 

Abstract

While there is extensive literature on motivation of learning English as a second/ foreign language and an increasing body of literature dedicated to researching teaching and learning, scarce studies were dedicated to investigating the motivation of learning Chinese as a second or foreign language (CSL/CFL). The article aims to provide a systematic review of studies related to Chinese learning motivation published in peer-reviewed journals from 2010-2023, specifically on empirical studies where data had been collected from language classroom settings at different proficiency levels. In total, 477 articles from eight databases have been reviewed. After formalising the inclusion criteria among the researchers, 40 articles were selected and analysed to explore the current theoretical, methodological, and topical trends in CSL/CFL learning motivation research.

 

This study reviewed several significant studies in the field of CSL/CFL; however, there are few theories specifically tailored to this field. Additionally, most studies employed quantitative research methods, lacking an emphasis on exploring the underlying mechanisms and processes that drive the outcomes. The authors conclude that the field requires further research to investigate multiple aspects of language learning motivation and calls for future research in the field to (i) expand beyond the individual-psychological dimension to include macro-sociological perspectives, (ii) make use of (quasi-) experimental studies to draw causality, and (iii) provide thick description of learner demographics to address the cultural contexts are necessary in language learning studies.

 

Keywords

Motivation, Chinese as a second/foreign language, motivational self-system

 

汉语作为国际语言的学习动机：理论和研究结果综合回顾

 

林善敏

郑颖彤

黄善瀛

香港教育大學，中国

 

摘要

过去关于第二语言或外语的动机研究聚焦英语学习，针对教学与学习的相关文献硕果累累 ；相比之下，汉语作为第二语言或外语（ CSL/CFL）的动机研究仍处于发展阶段。本文旨在回顾2010 年至 2023 年间，共八个文献资料库发表的与汉语学习动机有关的研究，搜寻了 477 篇文章，并以 PRISMA 步骤进行系统性回顾、筛选及分析共 40 篇相关研究，从而探讨目前 CSL/ CFL 学习动机的理论、方法和主题趋势。

 

本研究不单回顾了 CSL/CFL 领域举足轻重的研究，也填补现时专门针对这一领域的理论空隙。此外，大多数语文动机研究采用量化研究方法，缺乏对探索语文学习者的驱动因果关系、潜在机制、以及语文学习与动机转变的过程。作者的结论是，该领域需要进一步研究来调查语言学习动机的不同方面，并建议以下未来研究方向，（ i）扩展研究视角，以宏观社会学观点深入探究学习者的动机，超越过去着重个人心理维度（ ii）采用（准）实验研究以确立因果关系，采用纵向研究了解学习者的动机转变 ；以及（ iii）提供研究对象的详细描述，语言学习研究需要考虑其文化背景。

 

关键词

语文学习动机，汉语作为第二语言，外语学习，自我激励系统