The Relationship between Iranian EFL Learners' Goal-oriented and Self-regulated Learning and Their Language Proficiency

Abstract

In this study, the Persian versions of "Goal Orientation Scale" developed by Midgley, Kaplan, Middleton, &Maehr (1998) and "Self-regulation Trait Questionnaire" developed by O'Neil and Herl (1998) were piloted on 199 and 189 participants respectively. When the researchers were assured that these two instruments enjoyed satisfactory reliability and construct validity, the Persian versions of "Goal Orientation Scale" and "Self-regulation Trait Questionnaire" along with a TOEFL test (1995) were administered to 127 participants. The results of data analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between goal-oriented learning and language proficiency. Also, there was a significant relationship between task goal orientation and language proficiency. However, no significant relationship was found between ability-approach and ability-avoid goal orientation and language proficiency. In addition, there was a significant relationship between self-regulated learning and language proficiency.

Keywords

• self-regulated learning
• achievement goal orientation
• language proficiency
• teaching english as a foreign language