Digital Learning Platforms and Language Skills Development: The Mediating Roles of Student Engagement and Self-Efficacy across Educational Levels

Abstract

The growing adoption of digital learning platforms has transformed language education by creating interactive and flexible learning environments. This study examines the influence of digital learning platform use on language skills development while investigating the mediating roles of student engagement and student self-efficacy and the moderating role of educational level. Using a quantitative
cross-sectional design, data were collected from 412 students through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using correlation, regression, mediation, and moderation analyses. The findings revealed that digital learning platform use positively affects student engagement, self-efficacy, and language skills development. Student engagement and self-efficacy were also found to significantly enhance language skills development. Furthermore, educational level significantly moderates the relationship between digital learning platform use and language skills development, indicating that the effectiveness of digital platforms varies across educational stages. Mediation analysis demonstrated that both student engagement and self-efficacy serve as significant mechanisms through which digital learning platforms improve language learning outcomes, with self-efficacy exhibiting a stronger indirect effect. The study contributes to the understanding of technology enhanced language learning by integrating technological, behavioral, psychological, and contextual factors within a single framework and offers practical insights for educational stakeholders seeking to improve language proficiency through digital learning environments.