Non-English Majors’ Writing Self-Efficacy and Attribution in Learning English as a Foreign Language

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between writing self-efficacy, attribution, and writing proficiency of college students in learning English as a foreign language (EFL) context. The scales of writing self-efficacy and attribution were administered to 142 Chinese first-grade non-English majors. Research findings showed that these EFL learners maintained a medium level of writing self-efficacy and tended to attribute their writing outcomes to internal causes. Independent sample t-test indicated that gender exerted no significant influence on EFL writing self-efficacy, and only the attribution cause luck significantly differed between boys and girls. Besides, high-achievers reported stronger writing self-efficacy and skill self-efficacy, while no significant difference in task self-efficacy was found between high-achievers and low-achievers. One-way ANOVA results revealed that regardless of writing level, students tended to attribute their writing success or failure to internal factors such as ability and effort, while low-achievers were also inclined to attribute externally. Pedagogical implications were also discussed.