Introduction

This book clarifies the fundamental difference between North America-based instrumental motivation and Korea (and East Asia)-specific competitive motivation by which the EFL learners’ excessive competition to be admitted to famous universities and to be hired at a large-scale conglomerate is the main source of L2 motivation.

Understanding EFL Motivation

It enables readers to understand that EFL-learning motivation reflects unique sociohistorical contexts grounded in a specific region or country.

Implications for Theory and Research

This book in turn necessitates the need to develop EFL motivation theory and research tradition which are firmly based on East Asian values and culture.