Enriching the Construct Structure of L2 Reading Motivation: Learners’ Attitudes in Focus

Abstract

The systematic study of second language (L2) reading motivation has been a more recent topic in L2 motivation literature. The purpose of the current study was to highlight the role of L2 reading attitudes in developing the construct of L2 reading motivation. Participants of the study included 192 Iranian EFL learners at B1 level of language proficiency corresponding to the intermediate level. The data related to L2 reading attitudes and L2 reading motivation of the participants were collected through administering the L2 reading attitude and L2 reading motivation questionnaires, respectively. The items from the two measures were mixed and then factor analyzed. The results of statistical analyses revealed that a six-factor solution was the best way to conceptualize the L2 reading motivation construct among the Iranian EFL learners. The factors included both L2 motivational (reading interest) and L2 attitudinal items. This construct of L2 reading motivation was found more effective in predicting the reading achievement of the learners when compared with the reading motivation construct lacking the L2 reading attitude items.