Exploring the Interplay of Motivation, Engagement and Critical Thinking Among EFL Learners: Evidence From Structural Equation Modelling

IF 3.6 3区教育学 Q1 EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

European Journal of Education Pub Date : 2025-07-31 DOI:10.1111/ejed.70187

Jijia Yang, Yan Chen, Yunsong Wang

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Abstract

Critical thinking (CT) is widely recognised as a core competency in 21st-century higher education, particularly within English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning contexts. This study examines the extent to which motivation and engagement contribute to the development of CT skills among Chinese EFL university students. A sample of 626 undergraduates from multiple provinces completed validated instruments measuring motivation, academic engagement and CT dispositions. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was employed to explore the interrelations among these constructs. The findings show that motivation predicts both engagement and CT, and that CT is positively associated with engagement, indicating a reciprocal relationship. These findings highlight the interdependent roles of affective and cognitive factors in promoting higher-order thinking. The study offers pedagogical implications for language educators, curriculum designers and policymakers aiming to foster autonomous, critically-minded learners in EFL environments.

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探讨英语学习者动机、投入和批判性思维的相互作用：来自结构方程模型的证据

批判性思维（CT）被广泛认为是21世纪高等教育的核心能力，特别是在英语作为外语（EFL）学习环境中。本研究旨在探讨动机和投入对中国英语大学学生的CT技能发展的影响程度。来自多个省份的626名本科生完成了测量动机、学术参与和CT倾向的有效工具。采用结构方程模型（SEM）来探讨这些结构之间的相互关系。研究结果表明，动机可以预测敬业度和敬业度，而敬业度与敬业度呈正相关，表明这是一种互惠关系。这些发现强调了情感和认知因素在促进高阶思维中的相互依存作用。该研究为语言教育者、课程设计者和政策制定者提供了教学启示，旨在培养英语环境中自主、批判性思维的学习者。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

European Journal of Education EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH-

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The prime aims of the European Journal of Education are: - To examine, compare and assess education policies, trends, reforms and programmes of European countries in an international perspective - To disseminate policy debates and research results to a wide audience of academics, researchers, practitioners and students of education sciences - To contribute to the policy debate at the national and European level by providing European administrators and policy-makers in international organisations, national and local governments with comparative and up-to-date material centred on specific themes of common interest.