Motivational Dynamics in Language Learning

This landmark volume offers a collection of conceptual papers and empirical research studies that investigate the dynamics of language learning motivation from a complex dynamic systems perspective. The contributors include some of the most well-established scholars from three continents, all addressing the question of how we can understand motivation if we perceive it as continuously changing and evolving rather than as a fixed learner trait. The data-based studies also provide useful research models and templates for graduate students and scholars in the fields of applied linguistics and SLA who are interested in engaging with the intriguing area of examining language learning in a dynamic vein.

Zoltán Dörnyei was a Professor of Psycholinguistics at the University of Nottingham, UK. He published extensively on second language acquisition and learner psychology, with a particular focus on language learner motivation.

Peter D. MacIntyre is Professor of Psychology at Cape Breton University, Canada. He has received awards for teaching excellence (Atlantic Association of Universities), contribution to the study of language (the Gardner Award and the Mildenberger Prize), publication in language and social psychology (Harwood Award) and service to students and the community.

Alastair Henry is Professor of language education at University West, Sweden. His research involves the psychology of language learning and teaching. In addition to motivation, his work has focused on teacher identities, digital technology and language choices in contexts of migration. He was the principal investigator for the Motivational Teaching in Swedish Secondary English (MoTiSSE) project. With Zoltan Dörnyei and Peter MacIntyre he co-edited Motivational Dynamics in Language Learning (2015), and with Zoltan Dörnyei and Christine Muir he is the co-author of Motivational Currents in Language Learning: Frameworks for Focused Interventions (2016).