When the situated expectancy-value theory meets the Island Ridge Curve: examining the moderation of language proficiency on the relationship between expectancy-value and language achievement

Background Situated expectancy-value theory (SEVT) is a prominent motivation framework explaining how expectancy (e.g. self-concept) and value factors (e.g. utility value) predict learning achievement. However, existing second/foreign language (L2) motivation studies usually assume a linear relationship between these factors and L2 achievement. The Island Ridge Curve (IRC) offers a theoretical alternative, positing that the effects of cognitive and motivational factors on L2 achievement fluctuate across distinct stages of L2 competence development. Integrating SEVT with IRC would enable a nuanced examination of the dynamic association between motivation and L2 achievement.Purpose This research examined the changing associations between two motivation factors (self-concept and utility value of schooling) and English as an L2 achievement across struggling, low, medium, and high achievers.Methodology The sample comprised 2325 eighth-graders from 16 Hong Kong schools. Multilevel mixture modeling was employed for data analysis.Findings Results showed that (1) the positive association between English self-concept and English achievement varied significantly across the struggling, low, medium, and high achievers, with a significantly larger effect in the medium achievers; and (2) the positive association between utility value of schooling and English achievement fluctuated across the four groups, but the associations were all nonsignificant. Overall, the findings support the IRC, particularly regarding the role of learners’ self-concept in determining L2 achievement.Value This study underscores the value of synthesizing SEVT and IRC to explicate the complex, nonlinear relationship between motivation and L2 achievement, suggesting that future research on motivation should account for proficiency-dependent variations rather than assume uniform effects.