Self-Motivational Systems in Second Language and English Language Performance: The Mediating Role of Self-Regulation and Second Language Anxiety

The purpose of this study was to investigate the motivational self-system in English language learning and the mediating role of self-regulation and second language anxiety in schools. The research method was applied according to the purpose and data collection was done by correlation. The current research population was second year female high school students in Yazd. A sample size of 300 was selected by multistage cluster sampling method and students answered Second Language Motivational Self-System Questionnaire (SLMSQ), Bufard Self-Regulation Questionnaire (BSRQ). Foreign Language Anxiety Survey (FLCAS). The obtained data were analyzed by correlation and path analysis using SPSS24 and Lisrel 8.7 software. The results of path analysis with appropriate adjustment showed a direct relationship between ideal l2 self in learning English and an indirect relationship between experience in learning a second language through self-regulation. Moreover, the direct relationship between anxiety in English was negative and significant, and the indirect relationship between ideal l2 self due to anxiety in English learning became positive and significant. In this study, the direct relationship between l2 self and second language experience in English learning and the indirect relationship between l2 self and second language anxiety in English learning were not significant. Therefore, it is recommended that parents do not force adolescents to learn English and try to internalize their motivation to learn English.