Exploring Emotions and Motivation in Second Language Learning

Abstract

The presenty study aims to investigate language learners’ emotional experiences trying to relate them to the L2 motivational self system. Although past studies focused more on negative emotions, this study takes in consideration also the positive ones providing a picture of L2 learners’ emotions and their motivation in second language acquisition. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with the L2 emotions and motivation and the theories that have been dealing with them. The second part of the paper describes the empirical research conducted on the sample of 52 secondary school students in age from 16 to 49 years.