Applications of Language Studies
A semiannual International Research Journal

Exploring Motivation, Interest, and Linguistic Self-Confidence as Predictors of Iranian EFL Learners’ Writing Performance

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Reza Bagheri Nevisi 1
Hamideh Mohammadi 2

1 Associate Professor, English language and Literature faculty Department, Literature and Humanities Faculty, Qom University, Qom, Iran.

2 English Department, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

10.22034/jals.2025.2067820.1099
Abstract
Due to the globalization of English, mastery of the four English skills, especially writing, as the most complex language skill, has become more and more important in the context of English as a foreign language. This study examined the possible relationships among personal interest, motivation, linguistic self-confidence, and writing performance. To this end, 184 male and female Iranian EFL learners at the advanced level participated in the study. The participants completed questionnaires on individual interest, linguistic self-confidence, and motivation. They were also required to produce a written text on either of the two assigned topics. To analyze the data, the researchers employed Pearson correlation and regression. The results indicated significant positive correlations among the three psychological variables and writing performance, demonstrating that an increase (decrease) in learners’ individual interest in English, English learning motivation, and self-confidence in language abilities would lead to an increase (decrease) in writing scores. It was also revealed that writing performance was better predicted by interest than the other two variables. The findings imply that to improve EFL learners’ writing performance, educational stakeholders should stimulate learners’ interest and boost their motivation in learning English and their overall confidence to perform both pedagogic and real-life tasks.

Keywords

Interest
Linguistic self-confidence
Motivation
Writing performance

Subjects

Applications of Language Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 October 2025

  • Receive Date 03 August 2025
  • Revise Date 30 September 2025
  • Accept Date 11 October 2025

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