Relations between gender stereotyping and foreign language attainment: The mediating role of language learners' anxiety and self-efficacy

Psychometric properties and invariance of an English self-efficacy scale for university students in Peru

Background

English is a global language used to communicate with members of the international community. Self-efficacy in learning English is an important factor that is influenced by perceived importance, interest, and beliefs about the ability to successfully perform tasks in English.

Objective

The aim is to develop and validate a measurement instrument to assess English self-efficacy.

Methods

A total of 453 students from different Peruvian universities participated, with ages ranging from 18 to 60 years (M = 23; SD = 6.18). Statistical techniques for latent variables were used and recommendations for educational and psychological tests were followed in its construction. The sample was divided into two groups to perform exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Results

The English Self-Efficacy Scale (ESS-P) is representative and relevant in terms of its item content (Aiken's V > 0.70). Its internal structure is organized into three first order factors and a second order factor that are consistent with the theoretical proposal and was confirmed through CFA with excellent goodness-of-fit indices (χ2 = 1184.9, gl = 626, CFI = 0.92, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.06 y SRMR = 0.04). It also has adequate internal consistency in its three factors (Reading α/ω = 0.96), Oral Communication (α/ω = 0.95), and Writing (α/ω = 0.97) and the whole scale (α/ω = 0.98), is invariant with respect to sex, and has a conceptual relationship with variables such as academic self-efficacy and exam anxiety.

Conclusion

The ESS-P is a measurement instrument with evidence of validity, factorial invariance, and good reliability of its scores. Therefore, it can be used in future studies in the academic context.

Measuring teacher self-efficacy: Validating a new comprehensive scale among Chinese pre-service teachers

Challenges exist in the validating procedure and comprehensiveness of the existing TSE measurements, though advancements have been achieved. Also, less consistencies have been received regarding teacher self-efficacy measurement in Chinese context so that the study developed and validated a new comprehensive scale for this construct. A total of 854 Chinese pre-service teachers responded to 40 purposely selected teacher self-efficacy items, together with the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, the agreeableness subscale of the Big Five Inventory, and items on their effectiveness of teaching practicing and intention to be a teacher. Exploratory factor analyses revealed two distinct factors, one factor (Ethos) focused on the general school climate, harmony, and cooperation, as well as teachers' own professional development, the other (Teaching) focused on aspects of classrooms and student learning. Confirmatory and second-order factor analysis supported the existence of two factors and also indicated one overarching construct of teacher self-efficacy. Both domains were significantly correlated with general self-efficacy and agreeableness, with either moderate or low correlations. Significant differences in teacher self-efficacy for Ethos and Teaching were found between pre-service teachers who reported higher levels of effectiveness during their professional placement and greater intention to be teachers compared to those with lower self-ratings. In addition, a 20-item short version of the scale was developed, and the same factorial structure was confirmed. This study validated the two-factor structure of a newly developed teacher self-efficacy scale that covers domains both within and outside classroom teaching. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Enhancing EFL Learners' Self-Efficacy Beliefs of Learning English with Emoji Feedbacks in CALL: Why and How

Encouraging feedback positively affects learners' self-efficacy; in language learning, self-efficacy predicts language learner performance and behavior. Our research involved three studies to expand knowledge about why and how we can enhance English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' self-efficacy beliefs in online settings. In Study 1, based on an online survey with 310 participants, we ascertained the extent to which EFL learners with greater self-efficacy tend to challenge themselves by learning content that requires a proficiency level that is higher than their current proficiency. In Study 2, we recruited 120 EFL learners; the results indicate that positive feedback via emojis embedded in online courses could significantly boost EFL learners' self-efficacy beliefs about learning English. Study 3 involved 35 participants and extended the understanding provided by the first two studies, showing that EFL learners not only like to use emojis for computer-mediated communication (CMC), but also prefer to receive them as feedback. This research adds to knowledge on "why" and "how" we can enhance EFL learners' self-efficacy beliefs in online contexts. We systematically provide empirical evidence regarding the aforementioned issues and demonstrate that positive feedback through emojis has great potential to enhance EFL learners' self-efficacy, even when such feedback is subliminal.