A Systematic Literature Review of Online English Learning Engagement

Abstract

English learning engagement refers to learners’ emotional, behavioral, and cognitive participation in relevant English learning activities (Kuh, 2001; Balwant, 2017). Learning engagement is closely connected with learners and learning courses, and is an important indicator of learners’ learning process (CAI Chen, 2021), and has a strong correlation with learning outcomes and learning performance (Robinson& Hullinger, 2008). With the application of modern technology in foreign language teaching, online English learning engagement has gradually become a hot topic in the field of foreign language studies. This study uses the systematic literature review method to sort out the relevant research on online English learning engagement at home and abroad, and the analysis finds that: 1) Most studies on online English learning engagement focus on the effects of teacher factors, learners’ factors and peer factors on online English learning engagement. 2) Mixed methods are used in most studies, such as structural equation modeling of data through questionnaires or reporting relevant data after descriptive statistical analysis to explain the research suggestions on the influence mechanism of online English learning engagement. 3) In the online English learning environment, the overall level of learners’ learning engagement is medium to above, but the level of behavioral engagement is low, which is related to the lack of interaction in online learning. Meanwhile, the relationship structure between various dimensions of learning engagement is complex and affected by other factors, which requires more in-depth exploration. The study suggests that educators should pay attention to learners’ interest in online learning and social interaction, and enhance peer interaction and learners’ self-efficacy through timely adjustment of teaching strategies, reasonable provision of teacher support, and comprehensively improving learners’ engagement in online English learning, to promote English learning.