The Relationship between Achievement Goal Orientations and Language Performance of Secondary School EFL Learners in China

Wang Ruishi,Priyadarshini Muthukrishnan,Gurnam Kaur Sidhu

doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i7/10425

Wang Ruishi, Priyadarshini Muthukrishnan + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i7/10425

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Abstract

Research in second and foreign language teaching and learning has indicated that there are many factors that influence language performance. These factors can be broadly divided into internal and external factors. This study investigated the impact of one internal factor, namely achievement goal orientations. It explored four types of achievement goal orientations namely mastery approach orientation, mastery avoidance orientation, performance approach orientation and performance avoidance orientation. This non-experimental quantitative study involved 360 Grade Eight Secondary school students from five randomly selected schools located in the Tongcheng County in Hubei Province, China. Data were collected using a survey questionnaire and the findings were analyzed using SPPS version 27. The findings indicated that there was a significant and positive relationship between achievement goal orientations and language performance. Mastery approach orientation, and mastery avoidance orientation however showed a significant, moderate and positive relationship, performance approach orientation showed a significant, low and positive relationship and performance avoidance orientation showed a very low and negative relationship with language performance. Overall, these findings imply that achievement goal orientations should be further explored as potential factors influencing language performance in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms.

Highlights

With the development of interconnectivity and globalization all over the world, the importance of immediate and appropriate ways of communication has been increasing very rapidly in this modern world
The first research question in this study explored the level of achievement goal orientations among secondary school English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners in China
The items of this section were divided into four aspects, namely mastery approach orientation, mastery avoidance orientation, performance approach orientation and performance avoidance orientation

Summary

Introduction

With the development of interconnectivity and globalization all over the world, the importance of immediate and appropriate ways of communication has been increasing very rapidly in this modern world This has witnessed the use and status of English currently reaching an unprecedented height even though basic culture and political tensions remain. We show the significance of the language in the Chinese society, and depending on one’s viewpoint, the size of the potential damage that could accurate to the cultural integrity of that society or of the potential contribution that English could contribute to the economic development of China

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