Exploring Autonomous Motivation in Language Learning: A Mobile APP Approach

Educators in various disciplines have consistently sought innovative approaches to keep learners engaged and enhance their overall learning experiences. Likewise, language teachers have been earnestly integrating state-of-the-art technologies to achieve similar objectives of enriching student learning. This action research seeks to create a mobile app utilizing artificial intelligence to support interpretation practice from English to Chinese. Self-Determination Theory was utilized to examine the motivation of 76 college students who took part in the research. The findings from the regression analysis suggest that autonomy and a sense of relatedness strongly influence students’ intrinsic motivation, while competency significantly affects both positive emotions and concentration. Students expressed enjoyment in using the platform and placed value on this learning experience. This study suggests that higher levels of autonomy lead to increased focus and motivation in learning.