Improving self‐regulated learning of speaking skills in foreign languages

Abstract In foreign language learning, it is important that learners become autonomous and learn how to self‐regulate their learning to continue language development. This article presents a self‐evaluation procedure designed to promote self‐regulation in speaking skills in a foreign language. This self‐evaluation procedure was tested in a quasi‐experimental study among 329 secondary school students in the Netherlands to investigate to what extent changes occurred in students’ self‐regulation of their speaking skills and to what extent students perceived the self‐evaluation procedure as motivating and adaptive to their needs. The results showed that shifts were found in the focus of students’ diagnoses and improvement plans for their own speaking performances. It was also found that the perceived need for teachers’ assistance decreased. Moreover, students found support to be adaptive and appreciated the activities in the self‐evaluation procedure—especially producing and executing an improvement plan. In conclusion, this study contributes to the development of knowledge about guiding students’ self‐regulation of speaking skills by adding concrete design principles to realize such a learning process.