motivation in EFL writing classes!

 motivation in EFL writing classes! Motivation here is a bit more specific because writing has its own cognitive, emotional, and skill-based challenges. Here's a guide tailored to measuring motivation in EFL writing:

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🔍 1. Start with a Framework

To measure motivation in EFL writing, you can draw from:

• Dörnyei’s L2 Motivational Self System (general L2 motivation)

• Self-Determination Theory (SDT) – focuses on intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation

• MSLQ – you can adapt writing-specific items

• Task Value Theory – how valuable or interesting writing tasks are perceived to be

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🧾 2. Use or Adapt Writing-Specific Motivation Instruments

✅ a. Writing-Specific Adaptation of MSLQ

You can adapt the MSLQ by tweaking item wording. For example:

Original MSLQ Item	Writing-Focused Version
“I prefer course material that really challenges me.”	“I enjoy writing tasks that challenge my writing ability.”
“I expect to do well in this class.”	“I expect to do well in writing assignments in this class.”

• Focus areas:

  • Task value (importance of writing)

  • Self-efficacy (confidence in writing)

  • Goal orientation (learning vs performance)

  • Effort regulation (motivation to persist in writing)

✅ b. Existing Writing Motivation Scales

Some researchers have designed writing-specific motivation scales for EFL. For example:

• Pajares & Valiante (2001) explored writing self-efficacy and motivation in English classes.

• Wang & Bai (2017) created a Writing Self-Efficacy Scale for EFL learners in Singapore.

• These often cover:

  • Confidence in grammar/organization

  • Willingness to write

  • Perceived value of writing

Let me know if you want the full list of these studies or scales!

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💬 3. Supplement with Qualitative Tools

To dig deeper into why students feel (de)motivated, use:

• Reflective writing prompts (e.g., “Describe a time when you felt motivated to write in English.”)

• Interviews or focus groups on attitudes toward writing tasks, feedback, and classroom dynamics

• Writing journals where students document their motivation over time

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🛠️ 4. Sample Questionnaire Items for EFL Writing Motivation

You can create a scale or adapt existing ones. Sample items:

Dimension	Sample Item
Task Value	"I believe writing in English is important for my future career."
Intrinsic Motivation	"I enjoy expressing my ideas in English writing."
Self-Efficacy	"I feel confident in organizing my ideas when I write in English."
Anxiety (inverse)	"I feel nervous when I have to write essays in English."
Feedback Orientation	"I use teacher feedback to improve my writing skills."

Use a Likert scale (e.g., 1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).

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✅ Final Tips

• Pilot test your instrument with a small group.

• Run Cronbach’s alpha to test internal consistency.

• Consider cultural and linguistic relevance when adapting existing tools.

• You could also track changes in motivation before and after a writing intervention (e.g., peer feedback, writing workshop, etc.).