A META-ANALYSISOF RESEARCH ON L2 MOTIVATION IN SAUDI ARABIAN CONTEXT

Abstract

The growing interest in the research on L2 motivation in Saudi Arabia in the recent years has necessitated a research to create the big picture. The present research unifies the results of the previous studies on L2 motivation to identify the trends and slants. The present research bases its findings on102published research papers and chapters of edited books published from 2009 to 2021. The theory of motivation, paradigm of research, research methodology, gender of the respondents, institutions, tools used in the research, year of publicationetchave been taken into account for all the samples. The present research is a critique on the available research on motivation in Saudi Arabian context.The results of this study show the complex nature of motivation in Saudi learners and recommends a path for the future research. Most of the sample studies used in the present research claim that learners are motivated intrinsically, extrinsically and integratively. The study also finds that the L2 Motivational Self System was tested and validated in Saudi context. However, there is a need to conduct more longitudinal studies, especially with school learners to gauge the level and intensity of motivation.