Motivation and Influencing Factors of the Second Language Acquisition Based on the Grounded Theory

Abstract

This study explored students’ learning ways, motivations and influencing factors of second language acquisition (SLA) based on the grounded theory. A qualitative research method was used, and semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data. The interviewees are undergraduates in Zhaoqing University. The findings showed that students currently adopt a combination of teacher-guided learning way and self-directed learning way in the process of SLA. Moreover, SLA motivations can be categorized into intrinsic motivation (knowledge, achievement, stimulation) and extrinsic motivation (external regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation). In addition, the factors of environment, motivation, competence, subjective norm, attitude, outcome expectation, language aptitude and habit can exert significant influence on SLA.