The Impacts of Extramural Activities on 21st - Century Skills and English Language Motivation in Shanxi Middle School Post-China Education Reform

Abstract

This research consists purposes were to study explores how extramural activities affect 21^st century skills and English language motivation of students in Shanxi Middle School. Furthermore, the study assesses the mediating role of 21^st century skills in raising students’ motivation to learn English through providing students with real world language exposure and interactive learning environment. The objectives are as follows: 1) To study the impacts of extramural activities to increase 21^st – century skills and English language motivation. 2) To study the mediating effects of 21^st- century skills between the use of extramural activities and English language motivation. In quantitative analysis, 400 respondents that were chosen through stratified sampling and analyzed through AMOS and SPSS. A pilot study with 30 participants Results: 1) The findings were found to confirm that involvement in extracurricular activates has significant impact on students’ motivation to learn English as well as improvement of essential cognitive and interpersonal skills. The study also emphasizes that in order to bring structured extracurricular programs into formal education, reform of the curriculum, institutional support and teacher training is key. 2)  This finding indicates that extracurriculars do more than add on, they are great learning tools that help students obtain skills needed to use language effectively and help it be retained in the long term. Additionally, the research shows that students with 21^st century skills developed in extramural activities are more intrinsically motivated for the language learning. Collaboration, critical thinking and using English in a dynamic environment are all way to make learning more immersive, relevant and impactful.