Reading Habits, Study Skills and Student Engagement: A Causal Method to Language Learning Motivation

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the most suitable model for language learning motivation among students, utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) as the foundational design for analyzing the relationships between reading habits, study skills, student engagement, and language learning motivation.

Study Design: A descriptive-causal design was employed for this study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the universities of region 12, using a stratified random sampling technique to select 400 students for the academic year 2023-2024.

Methodology: 400 students were selected, and data was collected through e-surveys using four questionnaires. The mean, standard deviation, Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple regression analysis were utilized for data analysis. Reading habits, study skills, and student engagement were found to have a significant relationship with language learning motivation.

Results: It has been discovered that all the variables are at a high level, meaning that the respondents frequently exhibit them. The reading habits, study skills, and student engagement have a significant relationship with their motivation to learn a language. The most suitable model for language learning motivation is Model 5, which indicates attitudes towards studying Filipino, motivational intensity, and the desire to learn Filipino. Factors and behaviors in reading are indicators of reading habits. Choosing the main idea, processing information, test strategies, study aids, concentration, and time management are skills in studying. The student engagement with behavioral, cognitive, and emotional indicators of engagement. This simply indicates that the reading habits, study skills, and student engagement play an important role in the motivation for learning among students in the universities of region 12.

Conclusion: The study found that reading habits, study skills, and student engagement are significant role in student language learning. The finding serves as a foundation for effective language teaching learning motivation for the first year education students. Motivations for language learning might entail high reading habits, study skills, and student engagement because frequent reading would enhance vocabulary and comprehension capabilities that would lead to enhancing academic performance and writing capabilities. Good study skills might promote the efficacy of information understanding and retention capabilities and could foster intrinsic motivation in students for more enthusiastic studies in languages.