Exploring Self-Determination Theory in ELT: A Content Analysis of Research Trends between 2020 and 2024

This study aims to seek recent research trends in the applicability of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to English language teaching (ELT) by reviewing the literature on this new approach to studying learner motivation, which plays a crucial role in language acquisition. The subject of the study is a series of related articles collected between 2020 and 2024, and the data is gathered from fifty selected articles during this period. The method employed for data analysis is content analysis approach, which helps identify themes and common trends throughout the articles’ contents. The findings reveal various trends in applying SDT to foster learner motivation in ELT, including trends in research topics, methods, and noteworthy new themes in the applicability of SDT and its six sub-theories to ELT. These provide insights into the great potential of SDT in ELT research. The paper also has implications for new research ideas of learner motivation with STD.