Foreign Language Reading Motivation and Achievement

The major aim of this study was to explore the nature of foreign language reading motivation and the relationship between the reading motivation of EFL university students and their achievement in English reading. Five underlying dimensions of foreign language reading motivation were discussed in relation to student reading achievement. It was found that some dimensions of foreign language reading motivation were more significantly correlated with reading achievement than others. Moreover, a stepwise multiple regression showed that self-confident engagement in English reading strongly predicted reading achievement. In addition. significant differences existed in reading achievement per self-rated English reading proficiency levels. Overall, the study provides supports for the key role of motivational factors in the development of foreign language reading skills.