EFL Learners’ Confidence in English Grammar

Abstract

Confidence has been considered one of the psychological factors influencing the outcomes of language learning. Previous research has mostly focused on the influence of confidence on the skill of speaking, especially in terms of willingness to communicate, but there has been a lack of research about learners’ confidence in English grammar. The present study investigated the relationships between the level of confidence and the level of proficiency and other factors related to grammar usage. A total of 103 university students who registered for an elective grammar course participated, and they completed a questionnaire at the end of a semester. The data analysis indicated that participants’ confidence was not related to their beliefs about the roles of talent, effort, and studying English. Only their proficiency level at the time of the participation was related to their level of confidence in grammar. The findings are expected to provide in-depth information on the role of confidence in English grammar learning.