The Interplay between Young Learners' Sense of Self-Efficacy in Reading Comprehension and English Language Proficiency
الموضوعات :Hamed Barjesteh 1 , Mehdi Manoochehrzadeh 2 , Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini 3
1 - Assistant Professor, Department of English Language Teaching, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran
2 - Ph.D. Candidate, Department of English Language Teaching, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran
3 - Department of English Language Teaching, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
الکلمات المفتاحية: Self-efficacy, foreign language learning, Reading proficiency, Learners', beliefs,
ملخص المقالة :
This study intended to explore the interplay between young language learners' sense of self-efficacy regarding reading comprehension in their reading test performance associated with learning English among universities. To undertake the study, a purposive sampling method was adopted. A total of 60 freshmen undergraduate learners of English consented to participate in this study. A self-efficacy questionnaire was employed to collect to young learners' beliefs in their own reading capabilities with a hope to explore the effects of high and low self-efficacy on reading proficiency. Accordingly, students’ reading proficiency was examined based on their performance to the reading comprehension test adopted from a paper-based Longman TOEFL. The findings revealed that there was a direct and significant relationship between the learners' self-efficacy beliefs about learning and their language proficiency. The result attested that students with high self–efficacy are more proficient in their language learning as compared with those of low self-efficacy. EFL teachers and students as well materials developers’ can take the advantage of the findings. Theoretical and pedagogical implications for foreign language learning and teaching are also discussed.
Arnold, J. & Brown, H.D. (1999). A map of the terrain. In J. Arnold (Ed.), Affect in language learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs. N.J.: Prentice-Hall.
Bandura, A. (1994). Encyclopedia of human behavior. New York: Academic Press.
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.
Bandura, A. (Ed.). (1995). Self-efficacy in changing societies. New York: Cambridge University Press
Barkley, J. M. (2006). Reading Education: Is self-efficacy important? Reading Improvement, 12, 194-210.
Bernhardt, S. (1997). Self-efficacy and second language learning. The NCLRC Language Resource, 1 (5).
Chastain, K. (1988). Developing second language skills: Theory and practice (3rd). U.S.A.: Hartcourt Brace Jovanovich.
Choi, N., Fuqua, D. & Griffin, B. (2001). Exploratory analysis of the structure of scores from the multidimensional scales of perceived self-efficacy. Educational and Psychological Measurement journal, 61, 475-485.
Clement, R., Dorneyei, Z. & Noels, K.A. (1994). Motivation, self-confidence, and group cohesion in the foreign language classroom. Language Learning, 44 (3), 417-448.
Eslami, R. Z. & Fatahi, A. (2008). Teachers' sense of self-Efficacy, English proficiency, and instructional strategies: A study of nonnative EFL teachers in Iran. TESL-EJ Journal, 11(4) 555-65.
Gardner, R.C. & Lambert, W.E. (1972). Attitudes and motivation in second language learning. Rowley, Mass: Newbury House.
Gardner, R.C. (1985). Social psychology and second language learning: The role of attitudes and motivation. London: Edward Arnold.
Gee, W.R. (1999). Encouraging ESL students to read. TESOL Journal, 8 (1), pp. 3-7.
Grabe, W. (1991). Current developments in second language reading research. TESOL Quarterly, 25(3), 375-406
Kennedy, T.J., Nelson, J.K., Odell, M. R. L., & Austin, L. K. (2000). The ELES attitudinal inventory. Foreign Language Annuals, 33 (3), 278-287.
Lu, Z. Y.(1989). The Process of reading comprehension and factors influencing comprehension. Foreign Language Teaching and Research, 4, 40-46.
Mills, N., Pajares, F., & Herron, C. (2006). A Reevaluation of the role of anxiety: self-efficacy, anxiety, and their relation to reading and listening proficiency. Foreign Language Annals, 39, (2) 25-35.
Multon, K. D., Brown, S. D., & Lent, R. W. (1991). Relation of self-efficacy beliefs to academic outcomes: A meta analytic investigation. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 38, 30-38.
Oxford, R. & Shearin, J. (1994). Language learning motivation: Expanding the theoretical framework. The Modern Language Journal, 78 (1), 12-25.
Pajares, F. (1997). Current directions in self-efficacy research. In M. Maehr & P. R. Pintrich (Eds.), Advances in Motivation and Achievement. Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.
Pajares, F. (2000). Self-efficacy beliefs and current directions in self-efficacy research. Retrieved June 2008 from http://www.emory.edu/EDUCATION/mfp/effpage.html.
Pajares, F. (2006). Self-efficacy during childhood and adolescence: Implications for teachers and parents. In F. Pajares & T. Urden (Eds.), Self-efficacy beliefs of adolescents (pp. 339 – 367). Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.
Rahemi, J. (2007). Self-efficacy and iranian senior high school students majoring in humanities. Novitas-ROYAL (Research on Youth and Language), 1(2), 98-111. Retrieved 11 August, 2011 from http:// novitasroyal.org
Rahimpour, M. & Nariman-jahan, R. (2010). The influence of self-efficacy and proficiency on EFL learners’ writing. Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, 7(11), 23-36.
Schunk, D. H. (1990). Goal setting and self-efficacy during self-regulated learning. Educational Psychologist, 25, 71- 86.
Song, F. N., & Song, G. (2000). A study of the relationship between reading self-efficacy, reading time, and reading achievements among middle school students. Educational, Theories and Practice, 1, 59-61.
Stern, H.H. (1991). Fundamental concepts of language teaching. New York: Oxford.
Tschannen-Moran, M. & Woolfolk Hoy, A. (2001). Teacher efficacy: Capturing an elusive construct. Teaching and Teacher Education, 17, 783-805.
Wang, C. & Pape, S. J. (2007). A probe into three chinese boys’ self-efficacy beliefs learning English as a second language. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 21, 364-377.
XU, Y. L. (1998). A Study of learners influencing reading abilities of Chinese English learners. Modern Foreign Language, 3, 62-70
Yang, N.D. (1999). The relationship between EFL learners‟ beliefs and learning strategy use. System, 27, (4), 515-535.
Zimmerman, B.J. (1997). Self-efficacy and educational development. In Bandura, A., Self- efficacy in changing societies (pp.202-231). USA: Cambridge University Press.
