出版物 ｜Sophia Linguistica
Keiko Nakamura
Investigating Relationships between Japanese EFL Learners’
Motivation and English Proficiency based on the Theory of
Self-Determination
The present study had two main purposes: to examine whether or not there is a relationship
between learners’ psychological needs consisting of relatedness, autonomy, and competence
and learners’ motivation, and also to find out whether or not there is a relationship
between learners’ motivation types and English proficiency. A survey was conducted of
113 non-English major university students in a private university in Tokyo. The results of
the survey were analysed based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) which is an empirically
based theory of human motivation, development, and wellness put forward by Deci
and Ryan (1985). The results indicated that those learners who have intrinsic motivation,
i.e. the enjoyment of language learning itself, are likely to have a higher fulfilment of
their psychological needs. The survey also showed that those students with higher levels
of English proficiency are likely to have more intrinsic motivation than those with lower
levels of English proficiency. The findings of this thesis suggest that teachers can provide
support to fulfil learners’ psychological needs in classroom by helping learners to become
more motivated to achieve their language goals.
