Using the Island Ridge Curve Theory to Guide Language Education Research: A Showcase With Student Self-Efficacy and Teacher Feedback (Poster 28)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Friday 8:00 a.m.
  In Poster Session: Feedback, Teacher Support, and Instructional Approaches

Abstract

Island Ridge Curve (IRC) is a new theory proposing nonlinear relationships between individual learner factors and second/foreign language (L2) achievement. This paper briefly introduced the IRC and showcased its use with student self-efficacy and teacher feedback in English as an L2 (English) research. Participants included 400 10th graders from a Chinese middle school. Mixture structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. We found that (1) student self-efficacy had a positive direct relation to English achievement and completely mediated the relationship between teacher feedback and English achievement, and (2) both effects fluctuated in the nonsignificant-positive-nonsignificant pattern across the low-, medium, and high-proficiency groups. The study showcased the added value of the IRC theory for guiding feedback and self-efficacy research.

Author

• Yuyang Cai, Shanghai International Studies University