군집분석을 활용한 중국인 학문 목적 한국어 학습자의 언어 동기 유형 분석

Language Learner Motivational Types: Valuing Individual Differences among Chinese Learners of Korean for Academic Purposes

This study aimed to identify different motivational types of second language (L2) learners through the socio-cultural L2 motivation system. A total of 182 Chinese Korean students attending a university in Seoul, Korea carried out a questionnaire to identify their learning experience, teacher support, L2 skills, and academic performance. Cluster analysis identified three groups in terms of their intensity of L2 motivation. The group with strong L2 motivation often uses the support of teachers and displays high L2 skills and academic performance but shows a low level of anxiety. Another group was also high in L2 skills and achievement although teachers’ support did not occur as frequently as the former group. The final group showed lower L2 skills and academic achievement as well as L2 motivation and social support use, but higher anxiety and acculturation stress. Further analyses showed that L2 motivation is a determinant of various affective, linguistic, and learner traits. The study underscores the importance of considering motivational types in L2 motivation research and using cluster analysis as a method to identify individual differences within the learner group. Pedagogical implications are then further discussed.