The impact of study abroad program on Japanese University students' motivation and the development of "motivational L2 selves".

Three university students from Japan participated in a preliminary case study that investigated the impact of learning experiences in five-week-study abroad program to Australia on the change of motivation, the perception of contextual factors affecting their motivation, and the development of "motivational L2 selves". Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected by three interviews at the beginning, in the middle and the end of the program, and by submitting weekly learning logs. The results in the seven-point-Likert scale from the learning logs showed the upward trend in the level of motivational intensity as the program proceeds among the participants who perceived the environmental factors positively, including teachers, peer learners, class activities and the must-use-English context. Their views on the difference in learning experiences in Japan and in Australia also affected positively helping them to develop more vivid and real "L2 Selves". The study suggests learners' perception and evaluation of environmental factors in study abroad program in comparison with prior learning experience could be a relevant variable that affects motivational changes and the acquisition of more elaborated "L2 Selves" as their goal to achieve.