The Relationship Between Intrinsic Motivation, Listening Skill and IELTS Speaking Score

This study investigates the relationship between intrinsic motivation, listening skills, and IELTS speaking scores among Chinese undergraduates in Anhui Province, China.Using a quantitative correlational design, data were collected from 387 students who had taken the IELTS exam at least once.The study examines the direct and indirect effects of intrinsic motivation on IELTS speaking performance, with listening skills acting as a mediator.The findings reveal significant positive correlations between intrinsic motivation and listening skills (H1), listening skills and IELTS speaking scores (H2), and intrinsic motivation and IELTS speaking scores (H3).Furthermore, listening skills were found to partially mediate the relationship between intrinsic motivation and IELTS speaking scores (H4).These results highlight the importance of intrinsic motivation in enhancing both listening and speaking proficiency, particularly in the context of Chinese EFL learners, where oral English is often neglected due to an exam-oriented education system.The study underscores the need for integrating listening and speaking activities in language curricula to improve overall language proficiency, especially for high-stakes exams like IELTS.This research contributes to the growing body of literature on language learning motivation and offers practical insights for educators aiming to enhance students' performance in standardized English language tests.