Research Article

Self-Determined Engagement in Language Learning: The Relations among Autonomy-Support, Psychological Needs, and Engagement

Volume: 8 Number: 4 December 20, 2019
TR EN

Self-Determined Engagement in Language Learning: The Relations among Autonomy-Support, Psychological Needs, and Engagement

Abstract

Classroom engagement as a multi-dimensional concept has received considerable attention nowadays in educational research, but there is limited research in language learning. Grounded in self-determination theory and self-system model of motivational development, this study investigates the role of action component of the motivational system, classroom engagement in English as a foreign language (EFL) classrooms. It tests a mediation model among the variables, context (perceived teacher autonomy-support), self (psychological needs) and action (classroom engagement in language classrooms) with a cross-sectional survey design. A total of 412 EFL learners completed scales of the variables. Study findings indicated that learners’ classroom engagement was directly predicted by learners’ basic psychological needs, and indirectly by an autonomy-supportive context. Also, classroom engagement was directly predicted by perceived teacher autonomy-support in this model. The study highlights the pivotal role of learners’ self and the importance of language teachers in this relationship. It helps in understanding classroom engagement and its potential contribution to the quality of learning. It has implications for language teachers and educators and suggests that they should adopt autonomy-supportive behaviours to actively engage learners in learning in the language classroom.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

TUBİTAK, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

Thanks

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Financial support for this project was gratefully received from the Research Fellowship Programmes of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) to the first author and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada to the third author.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

-

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 20, 2019

Submission Date

July 3, 2019

Acceptance Date

October 16, 2019

Published in Issue

Year 2019 Volume: 8 Number: 4

APA
Dincer, A., Yeşilyurt, S., & Noels, K. A. (2019). Self-Determined Engagement in Language Learning: The Relations among Autonomy-Support, Psychological Needs, and Engagement. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi, 8(4), 1130-1147. https://izlik.org/JA97ZL75MS

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