Exploring and Explaining the Roles of Motivation, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Regulated Learning in Second Language Acquisition among University Students in Malaysia: A Mixed Methods Study
Keywords:
motivation, self-efficacy, self-regulated learning, second language acquisition, Malaysian university studentsAbstract
This mixed methods study investigates the interplay between motivation, self-efficacy, and self-regulated learning (SRL) in second language acquisition (SLA) among university students in Malaysia. Grounded in sociocognitive theory, the study employed quantitative surveys administered to 320 undergraduate students alongside qualitative semi-structured interviews with 18 participants from three public universities. Findings revealed that intrinsic motivation and high self-efficacy significantly predicted SRL behaviors, which in turn positively influenced English language proficiency outcomes. Qualitative data illuminated contextual factors including peer influence, lecturers' instructional approaches, and digital learning environments that mediated these relationships. Students with stronger goal-setting strategies demonstrated higher academic engagement and language achievement. The study underscores the necessity of designing motivation-enhancing and self-efficacy-building pedagogies within Malaysian higher education language programs to foster autonomous and proficient second language learners.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ahmad Fadzil bin Mohd Noor, Nurul Hidayah binti Zainudin (Author)
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