Exploring English Self-Efficacy Beliefs of University Students based on EFL Students’ and Their Instructors’ Opinions

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the English self-efficacy beliefs of EFL students based on their and their instructors’ opinions. The participants of the study, which was designed as a mixed method, included 456 EFL students studying at a preparatory school of a state university in Türkiye. In the qualitative part of the study, there were 32 EFL students and 9 EFL instructors. The personal information form, the “English Self-Efficacy Belief Scale”, semi-structured interview forms for the students and the instructors were used.to collect data. In the analysis of the quantitative data, descriptive statistics, independent sample T-test, ANOVA test were used, and for qualitative data content analysis technique was used. The findings indicated high level of self-efficacy in terms of English writing and speaking skills, and moderate level of English self-efficacy belief in terms of reading, ability to learn English and listening skills. Students stated that various factors such as individual factors, language skill-oriented factors, classroom environment-related factors, etc. affected their self-efficacy beliefs. The instructors stated that they implement student-centered teaching approach, try to increase student motivation, give feedback to students and enable them to learn from the mistakes to increase English self-efficacy belief levels of their students.