Revitalising Motivation: Second language acquisition research as a means to understand student demotivation

Because second language (L2) acquisition is the branch of learning with the highest rate of learning failure, it provides the ideal starting point to draw from research into which factors demotivate these learners and why. Much L2 motivation research insight has high transferable value. I have drawn from it to positively inform my mentoring of pathway/foundation students and have found it extremely effective in fostering retention of online learners studying in any discipline. This article draws on this research and places it in the context of ‘crisis’ situations, including Covid-19, to illustrate its value.