Effects of English learning beliefs on English achievement: academic emotions as mediators

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of English learning beliefs (ELBs) on English achievement via academic emotions (AEs). The study also examined gender and domain differences in ELBs and AEs. English learning beliefs involved in this study included beliefs about authority, difficulty, risk-taking, and the nature of English language learning. Among academic emotions, this study used only embarrassment, anxiety, and enjoyment. Undergraduate students (N = 440) were selected using the multistage sampling technique. The study used an English achievement test and closed-ended questionnaires to collect data. The study employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to factorize the dimensions of English learning beliefs and academic emotions. The present researchers employed structural equation modeling to determine the direct and indirect effects of English learning beliefs on English test scores; an independent samples t-test to explain gender differences (m = 315, f = 125); and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to assess group differences (social science = 154, natural science = 194, and technology group = 92) in dimensions of ELBs and AEs. The findings indicated that English learning beliefs had both direct and indirect effects on English achievement via embarrassment, anxiety, and enjoyment. Further, significant gender differences took place in authority belief, risk-taking belief, difficulty belief, embarrassment, and anxiety, but no gender difference took place in enjoyment. Further, MANOVA results showed significant domain differences in all English learning beliefs, embarrassment, and anxiety that favored the technology group. Finally, the article provides details of the analysis results, interpretations, discussions, and implications of the study.