The influence mechanisms and optimization strategies of second language acquisition efficacy among senior high school students from a motivational perspective

In the context of globalization, second language proficiency has become crucial for Chinese senior high school students' academic development and future competitiveness. However, there remains a relative scarcity of systematic empirical research on the motivational factors and their mechanisms affecting second language acquisition (SLA) efficacy among this demographic within China s high-pressure, exam-oriented educational environment. This study investigates key motivational factorsincluding instrumental, integrative, intrinsic, and extrinsic motivationand their interactions, analyzes significant challenges in motivation faced by this group, and proposes multidimensional optimization strategies. Grounded in Gardner s Socio-Educational Model, Drnyei s L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS), and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this research reveals that Chinese students L2 motivation exhibits a complex interplay between intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation, with instrumental motivation being particularly prominent yet often coexisting with deficiencies in integrative and inherent motivation. To address these, a coordinated strategy system is proposed across three dimensions: school, teachers, and students.