Korean college students' self-regulated learning strategies and self-efficacy beliefs in learning english as a foreign language

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between self-efficacy, self-regulation, and English language proficiency for Korean college students. College students (n = 220) attending a major university in Korea responded to two instruments, one on their self-efficacy beliefs and the other on their use of self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies in English. Examination of the reliability and validity of the instruments was followed by a path model representing positive and significant relationships between self-efficacy, SRL strategies, and English proficiency measured by a standardized English test. Multivariate analysis of variance and t-tests revealed group differences: (a) female students reported higher levels of self-efficacy beliefs, more frequent use of SRL strategies, and higher English proficiency; (b) undergraduate students reported higher levels of self-efficacy beliefs and higher English proficiency than graduate students but their use of SRL strategies did not differ significantly; and (c) participants did not differ in their use of a test-taking strategy (reading the questions before reading the text versus reading the text before reading the questions), and this test-taking strategy did not make a difference in participants' performance on the standardized English test, either. Implications of the findings were discussed in the context of classroom teaching.