L2 motivation of Saudi EFL students in online learning during the era of COVID-19

Abstract EN

This study investigates the Saudi EFL students’ L2 motivation based on the L2 Motivational Self System in an online learning environment in the Saudi EFL context during the global change of the educational systems and the shift from face-to-face learning to online learning due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The study adopted a mixed-methods approach by using a QUAN-qual method involving a questionnaire and semi-structed interviews for data collection.

440 female EFL secondary school students from the city of Madinah, Saudi Arabia participated in the quantitative phase.

The questionnaire aimed to measure students’ L2 motivation in light of the L2 Motivational Self System.

Further semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 female EFL secondary school students to provide a more in depth understanding of their experiences.

After the analysis of the data, it was revealed that more than half of students have ideal L2 self.

The study also revealed that learners’ have positive attitude towards online learning although the communication aspect is missed, which students considered it as an important element in online learning.

The study recommends stakeholders to adopt new approaches that focus on promoting students’ future ideal L2 selves and enabling them to form and visualize their ideal L2 selves in virtual EFL classrooms and implement online learning platforms that ensure interactions between students and teachers and students themselves.