摘要：The purpose of the present research is to investigate the motivational effects of the case method on Chinese ESP (English for Specific Purposes) learners. A questionnaire consisting of 23 items was designed and a factor analysis was conducted. Results show that the case method involves four motivational dimensions: extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation, competition, and self-efficacy. Our findings include: 1) The case method motivates the Chinese ESP learners both intrinsically and extrinsically; 2) The competition factor was found to have a substantial impact on Chinese ESP learners’ motivation; and 3) The case method is likely to maximize the Chinese ESP learners’ self-efficacy.
关键词：English for Specific Purposes; case method; competition; self-efficacy; L2 motivation
