The Mediating Effect of Test Preparation on the Relationship Between Learning Motivation and IELTS Speaking Performance: An Empirical Study of Chinese Undergraduates

This study investigates the correlation between motivation, test preparation, and speaking performance among undergraduates in Anhui Province, China, thereby addressing a deficiency in the body of research regarding the interplay between these variables in English language acquisition. The study investigates the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on performance in high-stakes language testing, drawing on self-determination theory, language management theory, and Shih’s washback model of students’ learning. Data were acquired from 387 students using a quantitative survey design. The results indicated substantial positive correlations between motivation, test preparation, and IELTS speaking scores. The effect of motivation on speaking performance was mediated by test preparation. These results offer educators practical strategies to improve learners’ motivation and performance in English proficiency examinations such as the IELTS and theoretical insights into the language learning process.