Looking through goal theories in language learning: A review on goal setting and achievement goal theory

A growing interest can be seen in the studies on the motivation related to second/foreign learning in recent decades. All in all, research verdicts designate that academic motivation plays a key function in the extent to which students are successful in their research. One of the dimensions of acade...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Xiaofang Cheng
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.2022.1035223/full
_version_ 1828070958153334784
author Xiaofang Cheng
author_facet Xiaofang Cheng
author_sort Xiaofang Cheng
collection DOAJ
description A growing interest can be seen in the studies on the motivation related to second/foreign learning in recent decades. All in all, research verdicts designate that academic motivation plays a key function in the extent to which students are successful in their research. One of the dimensions of academic motivation is goal orientation, which accounts for why learners carry out achievement activities. This type of goal is indicative of the importance one attaches to success concerning a performance standard. Furthermore, goal setting is deemed as a significant cognitive interface that connects motivation to motivational behavior. Indeed, goal setting is an inseparable part of L2 learning that has caught the attention of many researchers. It functions as a booster of motivation and success in various fields. Goals render the activities purposeful, providing individuals with directions. Moreover, goal drives them to invest more resources and effort, pushing them to persevere in learning. The new versions of motivational theories emphasize social-cognitive components underlying motivated behavior. Therefore, they are more inclusive than traditional ones. Achievement goal theory (AGT) has been developed as a motivation-related theory in recent decades. This theory serves as an effective framework to account for motivation associated with social achievement and learning environments. It also deals with the outcomes concerning cognitive and behavioral aspects. Another theory related to motivation is the Goal setting theory, which functions as a cognitive mediator between motivation and second/foreign learning behavior. It also impacts the students’ application of strategies. Drawing on the recent conceptual developments, this review seeks to make a contribution to the related literature on theories of achievement goals, i.e., AGT and goal setting associated with the L2 context. Such a review has pedagogical implications for EFL stakeholders.
first_indexed 2024-04-11T00:46:12Z
format Article
id doaj.art-cd91387014094f16b13445d225ddce63
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1664-1078
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-11T00:46:12Z
publishDate 2023-01-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Psychology
spelling doaj.art-cd91387014094f16b13445d225ddce632023-01-05T17:06:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-01-011310.3389/fpsyg.2022.10352231035223Looking through goal theories in language learning: A review on goal setting and achievement goal theoryXiaofang ChengA growing interest can be seen in the studies on the motivation related to second/foreign learning in recent decades. All in all, research verdicts designate that academic motivation plays a key function in the extent to which students are successful in their research. One of the dimensions of academic motivation is goal orientation, which accounts for why learners carry out achievement activities. This type of goal is indicative of the importance one attaches to success concerning a performance standard. Furthermore, goal setting is deemed as a significant cognitive interface that connects motivation to motivational behavior. Indeed, goal setting is an inseparable part of L2 learning that has caught the attention of many researchers. It functions as a booster of motivation and success in various fields. Goals render the activities purposeful, providing individuals with directions. Moreover, goal drives them to invest more resources and effort, pushing them to persevere in learning. The new versions of motivational theories emphasize social-cognitive components underlying motivated behavior. Therefore, they are more inclusive than traditional ones. Achievement goal theory (AGT) has been developed as a motivation-related theory in recent decades. This theory serves as an effective framework to account for motivation associated with social achievement and learning environments. It also deals with the outcomes concerning cognitive and behavioral aspects. Another theory related to motivation is the Goal setting theory, which functions as a cognitive mediator between motivation and second/foreign learning behavior. It also impacts the students’ application of strategies. Drawing on the recent conceptual developments, this review seeks to make a contribution to the related literature on theories of achievement goals, i.e., AGT and goal setting associated with the L2 context. Such a review has pedagogical implications for EFL stakeholders.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1035223/fullacademic motivationcognitive interfacemotivational behaviorachievement goal theorygoal settinglanguage learning
spellingShingle Xiaofang Cheng
Looking through goal theories in language learning: A review on goal setting and achievement goal theory
Frontiers in Psychology
academic motivation
cognitive interface
motivational behavior
achievement goal theory
goal setting
language learning
title Looking through goal theories in language learning: A review on goal setting and achievement goal theory
title_full Looking through goal theories in language learning: A review on goal setting and achievement goal theory
title_fullStr Looking through goal theories in language learning: A review on goal setting and achievement goal theory
title_full_unstemmed Looking through goal theories in language learning: A review on goal setting and achievement goal theory
title_short Looking through goal theories in language learning: A review on goal setting and achievement goal theory
title_sort looking through goal theories in language learning a review on goal setting and achievement goal theory
topic academic motivation
cognitive interface
motivational behavior
achievement goal theory
goal setting
language learning
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1035223/full
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaofangcheng lookingthroughgoaltheoriesinlanguagelearningareviewongoalsettingandachievementgoaltheory