Xin Jiang’s research while affiliated with Hebei University of Science and Technology and other places

Because of the recent pandemic, students have needed to become skilled, adaptable, self-regulating, and flexible toward online learning. However, few researchers considered digital nativity (DN) when studying self-regulation and learning engagement. This study explored how Chinese digital natives regulated themselves in English learning. A total of 408 college English students volunteered, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM) was used to process the questionnaire’s tested four hypotheses. The results showed that: (1) DN is related to online self-regulated English learning (OSEL); (2) OSEL is related to online student engagement (OSE); (3) DN is not related to OSE; and (4) OSEL is the mediator between DN and OSE. As such, the current findings should encourage e-learning designers and educators to equip students with both computer literacy and self-regulated competence for sustainable English learning development.