Investigating the role of teacher concern in EFL students’ motivation, anxiety, and language achievement through the lens of self-determination theory

Abstract

While it is important for teachers to care about students' academic performance and mental health, controlling and overprotective behavior can have long-term negative effects on students. Despite extensive research on the relationship between student achievement and teachers' caring behavior, research has investigated students' actual experiences of the pressures they face from teachers' expectations and concerns. To this aim, 400 Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) institute students participated in this study. EFL teachers were chosen for the challenges and anxiety that learning a language brings to the students. In many countries, English is considered important for academic and professional success, and as a result, students and teachers place high expectations and emphasis on performance in this area. Surveys were completed to examine student active and passive motivation, anxiety, and teachers’ level of concern. This study found that teacher concern was a significant predictor of student motivation, while teacher metapathy and empathy negatively predicted anxiety, and teacher apathy positively predicted anxiety. Furthermore, teacher apathy negatively predicted foreign language learning outcomes, whereas teacher concern, mediated by motivation, directly predicted foreign language learning outcomes. In conclusion, caring and supportive teachers who foster a sense of belonging align with self-determination theory, boosting student motivation and improving outcomes. This study highlights the important role of such teachers in student success and the need to integrate self-determination theory into educational practice.