Exploring Learner Engagement in EFL Higher Education: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

The study examines the ways in which classroom learning activities, instructional practices, and motivational factors affect EFL learner engagement in higher education in the 21^st century. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 55 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an English program at a Moldovan University. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analysed to determine the current level of learner engagement with the studied material. The findings show that engagement is fostered and sustained through collaborative and communicative activities, creative tasks, gamification and the use of authentic multimedia resources. Additionally, intrinsic motivation, teacher support, student-centred and inquiry-based pedagogical approaches contribute to enhancing learner engagement in EFL higher education.

Cuvinte-cheie: implicarea studentului, motivaţie intrinsecă, motivaţie extrinsecă, autoeficacitate, învăţare colaborativă, model de transmitere, model de explorare

REZUMAT

În articol, examinăm modul în care activităţile de învăţare în clasă, practicile instrucţionale şi factorii motivaţionali influenţează implicarea persoanelor care învaţă limba engleză ca limbă străină (EFL) în învăţământul superior din secolul XXI. Folosind o abordare cu metode mixte, au fost colectate date de la 55 de studenţi şi masteranzi înscrişi la programul "Limba engleză"la universitatea din nordul Republicii Moldova. Au fost analizate atât date cantitative, cât şi calitative pentru a determina nivelul actual de implicare a studenţilor în parcursul didactic. Rezultatele arată că implicarea dată este încurajată şi susținută prin activităţi de colaborare şi comunicative, sarcini creative, gamificare şi utilizarea resurselor multimedia autentice. În plus, motivaţia intrinsecă, sprijinul profesorilor, abordările pedagogice centrate pe student şi cele bazate pe investigaţie contribuie la sporirea implicării studenţilor în învăţământul superior la programul menţionat.

LANGUAGE OF PUBLICATION

English (main text and corpus)

UDC: 74.268.19

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Received: February 10, 2026 | Reviewed: February 22, 2026 | Accepted for publication: March 2, 2026

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