Exploring the relative contributions of learning motivations and test perceptions to autonomous English as a foreign language learning and achievement

Past studies on the contributions of language learning motivations and test perceptions to language learning have been conducted relatively independently, with few simultaneously gauging the relative effects of these two types of variables on learning behaviors and outcome. In contexts where testing...

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Main Authors: Xiaohua Liu, Manxia Dong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1059375/full
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author Xiaohua Liu
Manxia Dong
author_facet Xiaohua Liu
Manxia Dong
author_sort Xiaohua Liu
collection DOAJ
description Past studies on the contributions of language learning motivations and test perceptions to language learning have been conducted relatively independently, with few simultaneously gauging the relative effects of these two types of variables on learning behaviors and outcome. In contexts where testing plays a significant role in language education, it is argued that both types of variables are likely to influence language learning. Through a series of multiple regression analyses, this study juxtaposed the relative effects of three types of language learning motivation (i.e., integrative, development and requirement motivation) and two types of perception of a high-stakes English test on Chinese high school students’ (n = 3,105) EFL learning practice and achievement, casting fresh lights on the motivational factors that may drive EFL learning. More specifically, it was found that integrative and development motivations were the major drives behind students’ overall effort expenditure on EFL learning for Year 1 students. For students from higher grades who were more closely confronted with the test, however, the effect of development motivation diminished and that of perceived test validity increased. The same pattern applied to students’ reported learning achievement. The motivational profiles behind each specific type of learning practice and their variational patterns across grades were also found to differ. Implications for both research and educational practice are discussed.
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spelling doaj.art-bf4f1327e7f24d5ab49f15d7776a94152023-01-25T05:44:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-01-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.10593751059375Exploring the relative contributions of learning motivations and test perceptions to autonomous English as a foreign language learning and achievementXiaohua Liu0Manxia Dong1The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, ChinaSichuan International Studies University, Chongqing, ChinaPast studies on the contributions of language learning motivations and test perceptions to language learning have been conducted relatively independently, with few simultaneously gauging the relative effects of these two types of variables on learning behaviors and outcome. In contexts where testing plays a significant role in language education, it is argued that both types of variables are likely to influence language learning. Through a series of multiple regression analyses, this study juxtaposed the relative effects of three types of language learning motivation (i.e., integrative, development and requirement motivation) and two types of perception of a high-stakes English test on Chinese high school students’ (n = 3,105) EFL learning practice and achievement, casting fresh lights on the motivational factors that may drive EFL learning. More specifically, it was found that integrative and development motivations were the major drives behind students’ overall effort expenditure on EFL learning for Year 1 students. For students from higher grades who were more closely confronted with the test, however, the effect of development motivation diminished and that of perceived test validity increased. The same pattern applied to students’ reported learning achievement. The motivational profiles behind each specific type of learning practice and their variational patterns across grades were also found to differ. Implications for both research and educational practice are discussed.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1059375/fulllanguage learning motivationtest perceptionlearning practicelearning outcomeEnglish as a foreign languagesecondary education
spellingShingle Xiaohua Liu
Manxia Dong
Exploring the relative contributions of learning motivations and test perceptions to autonomous English as a foreign language learning and achievement
Frontiers in Psychology
language learning motivation
test perception
learning practice
learning outcome
English as a foreign language
secondary education
title Exploring the relative contributions of learning motivations and test perceptions to autonomous English as a foreign language learning and achievement
title_full Exploring the relative contributions of learning motivations and test perceptions to autonomous English as a foreign language learning and achievement
title_fullStr Exploring the relative contributions of learning motivations and test perceptions to autonomous English as a foreign language learning and achievement
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the relative contributions of learning motivations and test perceptions to autonomous English as a foreign language learning and achievement
title_short Exploring the relative contributions of learning motivations and test perceptions to autonomous English as a foreign language learning and achievement
title_sort exploring the relative contributions of learning motivations and test perceptions to autonomous english as a foreign language learning and achievement
topic language learning motivation
test perception
learning practice
learning outcome
English as a foreign language
secondary education
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1059375/full
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