Motivation and English self-efficacy in online learning applications among Saudi EFL learners: Exploring the mediating role of self-regulated learning strategies

Online language learning applications have transformed English as a foreign language instruction by providing flexible and personalized pathways to language learning. For EFL learners, proficiency is crucial for academic and career advancement, necessitating understanding how motivation, self-regulated learning strategies, and self-efficacy interact within the digital environment. However, a scholarly gap remains regarding how these psychological factors influence language learning outcomes. Thus, this study investigates the relationships between motivation, self-regulated learning strategies, and English self-efficacy among Saudi EFL learners utilizing online language applications. Employing a quantitative correlational design, this study sampled 808 university students through stratified selection to ensure representative diversity. Data were collected using three validated instruments to measure each construct and were analyzed using Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis, followed by Structural Equation Modelling. The results revealed three significant insights. First, Duolingo emerged as the most widely utilized application, supporting a comprehensive range of language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Other popular applications were frequently used for specific skill development, such as conversational practice and vocabulary enhancement, displaying the high frequency of online language learning app use. Second, strong positive correlations were found among motivation, self-regulated learning strategies, and English self-efficacy, accentuating their combined influence on language learning success. Finally, hypothesis testing confirmed that motivation directly influences self-regulation and self-efficacy, with self-regulated learning strategies mediating between motivation and self-efficacy. This suggests that online language learning applications fostering motivation and self-regulation can significantly improve learners' confidence and proficiency in English, providing practical insights for teachers and practitioners in language instruction.