Motivation and the Choice of Language Learning Strategies

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Abstract
The present study aims at investigating the relationship between intrinsic/extrinsic motivation and language learning strategyuse among Iranian EFL learners. Motivation is viewed within the framework of Self-determination Theory (SDT), in which intrinsic and extrinsic types of motivation are not antagonistic, and extrinsic motivation is seen along a continuum. To this end, 72 participants filled in two questionnaires on motivation and language learning strategies. The results indicated that intrinsic motivation was significantly related to cognitive and metacognitive strategies. However, extrinsic modes of motivation, namely, identified and external types of motivation were not significantly related to the use of language learning strategies. Yet, integrated mode of extrinsic motivation was negatively associated with memory and affective language learning strategies, and introjected motivation was negatively associated with cognitive strategies. In addition, it turned out that Iranian learners were mainly intrinsically motivated towards learning English language, and used metacognitive strategies more frequently than other types of strategies.