This study aims to explore the application strategies of Fromm’s expectancy theory in secondary school teaching. By analyzing the basic connotations of expectancy theory and its applicability in the field of education, a series of specific strategies are proposed to stimulate students’ learning motivation and enhance their self-directed learning abilities. Expectancy theory emphasizes that individual behavior is influenced by both expected outcomes and the likelihood of their achievement, providing a new perspective and theoretical basis for secondary school teaching reform.