Academic Enjoyment and Proficiency in English: The Mediating Role of Organizational Strategies by Secondary School Students in China

Abstract

Previous studies have extensively explored the mediating mechanisms between academic enjoyment and achievement. However, few studies have examined the mediating effect of cognitive strategies between these two constructs, especially in teaching English as a foreign language (EFL). This research aimed to investigate whether foreign language organizational strategies (FLOS) mediate the association between foreign language enjoyment (FLE) and foreign language proficiency (FLP). Five hundred and twenty-four Chinese secondary EFL learners aged 11 to 15 participated in the questionnaire survey. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and mediation analysis results showed that FLE could affect FLP directly and indirectly through FLOS after controlling for gender and age. Also, it was found that FLOS partially mediated the association between FLE and FLP. This research deepened the understanding of the mediating mechanisms between FLE and FLP. Implications, deficiencies, and suggestions for future research are discussed.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0020/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>