Agency In Language Learning

Part 1

Approaches To Understand Agency

Agency is a complex and multifaceted construct, so it is a daunting task to come up with an

operational definition. However, agency is crucial since “the particular ways in which conceive
of agency have implications for understanding of personhood, casuality, action and intention.”

Agency and Self-Efficacy

Agency is manifested in human actions done intentionally. Forethought of agency can

beexpressed in numerous ways. People exercise forethought, set goals for themselves, anticipate
the likely consequences of actions, and avoid detrimental effects.

Self-Efficacy is defined as "a person's sense of being able to deal effectively with a particular
task". Self-efficacy has been investigated as a predictor of successful academic achievement.
Higher self efficacy correlates to individuals greater persistence when facing difficulties, leading
them to exert more effort and make better use of learning strategies.

Agency, Rewards, and Motivation

Motivation one of the most researched constructs in the field of psychology, has in the context
of L2 learning long been regarded as fundamental for successful language learning. Agency in
human mitivation may give us insight into such questions. Motivation can be defined as “the
anticipation of reinforcement”. Motivation isn’t located solely within the individual but is
socially distributed, created within cultural systems of activities involving the meditation of
others calls for viewing motivation as a process rather than a measureable cause or product and
an integral part of the envolving organic and adaptive system of cognitive, affective, and
contextual processes shaping language learning.

Agency and Embodiment

Embodiment is applied to language instruction, language is viewed as a reflection of the human

perceptual system and human understanding of the spatial physical-social world in habit.
Embodied cognition also known as situated cognition to discuss the relationship between the
mind and action and how this relationship can be relevant to human agency. In other words,
perception and action aren’t causally connected in a linear way. Making sense of perceptual
experience and response happens as the individuals engage in the very action.