The L2 Motivation Factors and L2 Intended Learning Effort: A Model-based Data Analysis of Chinese College EFL Learners

This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between the theory of L2 Motivational Self System(L2MSS) and the learners’ actual achievement. A total of 838 Chinese undergraduate students who are majoring in agriculture and engineering, responded to a questionnaire based on the three main constructs of L2MSS, included Ideal L2 self, Ought-to L2 self, and L2 learning Experience. The participants’ L2 achievement was then measured with the College English Test 4 and 6 (CET4/6). This study analyzed the data based on a model method. Descriptive analyses of the data revealed that the main constructs of the L2MSS were predicted well of the learners’ intended learning efforts. Furthermore, some suggestions for research on the motivation of technical-related major college students to learn English are also given.