A Systematic Review of Factors Influencing Young Learners' Motivation to Learn English.

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Title: A Systematic Review of Factors Influencing Young Learners' Motivation to Learn English.
Authors: Lena, Mai Sri1, Nikolov, Marianne2
Source: Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal. Mar2026, Vol. 17 Issue 1, p55-75. 21p.
Subject Terms: *Motivation (Psychology), *English language education, *Autonomy (Psychology), *Effective teaching, *Self-regulated learning, *Collaborative learning, *Students, Personality
Abstract: This study reviews current empirical studies on young learners' (YLs) motivation to learn English published between 2020 and 2024 in nine countries. We focus on how authors defined motivation, what research design they used, what the main findings are, and what factors influence YLs' motivation. We followed the procedures of systematic reviews recommended by Arksey and O'Malley (2005). First, we screened publications along these inclusion criteria: listed in Scopus-indexed journals Q1 and Q2, published in English between 2020 and 2024, and empirical studies on children's motivation. This study revealed that effective teaching practices, self-regulated learning strategies, collaborative learning, selfaccessed extramural activities in English and enjoyment in doing them, personality traits, meaningful, appropriate, and challenging tasks in classes, and good relationships between teachers and YLs were the key factors impacting children's motivation most strongly. These have implications for practice. We argue that children's self-access learning must be developmentally scaffolded and socially supported, and motivation should involve and lead to autonomy. Therefore, children should have access to enjoyable and age-appropriate activities not only in the classroom, but also at home and in digital settings to sustain their motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal is the property of Kanda University of International Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: A Systematic Review of Factors Influencing Young Learners' Motivation to Learn English.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lena%2C+Mai+Sri%22">Lena, Mai Sri</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nikolov%2C+Marianne%22">Nikolov, Marianne</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Studies+in+Self-Access+Learning+Journal%22">Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal</searchLink>. Mar2026, Vol. 17 Issue 1, p55-75. 21p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Motivation+%28Psychology%29%22">Motivation (Psychology)</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+language+education%22">English language education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Autonomy+%28Psychology%29%22">Autonomy (Psychology)</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Effective+teaching%22">Effective teaching</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self-regulated+learning%22">Self-regulated learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Collaborative+learning%22">Collaborative learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Students%22">Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Personality%22">Personality</searchLink>
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  Data: This study reviews current empirical studies on young learners' (YLs) motivation to learn English published between 2020 and 2024 in nine countries. We focus on how authors defined motivation, what research design they used, what the main findings are, and what factors influence YLs' motivation. We followed the procedures of systematic reviews recommended by Arksey and O'Malley (2005). First, we screened publications along these inclusion criteria: listed in Scopus-indexed journals Q1 and Q2, published in English between 2020 and 2024, and empirical studies on children's motivation. This study revealed that effective teaching practices, self-regulated learning strategies, collaborative learning, selfaccessed extramural activities in English and enjoyment in doing them, personality traits, meaningful, appropriate, and challenging tasks in classes, and good relationships between teachers and YLs were the key factors impacting children's motivation most strongly. These have implications for practice. We argue that children's self-access learning must be developmentally scaffolded and socially supported, and motivation should involve and lead to autonomy. Therefore, children should have access to enjoyable and age-appropriate activities not only in the classroom, but also at home and in digital settings to sustain their motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal is the property of Kanda University of International Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.37237/170105
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: English language education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Autonomy (Psychology)
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      – SubjectFull: Effective teaching
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      – SubjectFull: Self-regulated learning
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      – SubjectFull: Personality
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            NameFull: Lena, Mai Sri
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              M: 03
              Text: Mar2026
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              Y: 2026
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