Examining measurement properties of an English Self-Efficacy scale for English language learners in Korea

Abstract

This study provides evidence for the validity of the Questionnaire of English Self-Efficacy in a sample of 167 college students in Korea. Results show that the scale measures largely satisfy the Rasch model for unidimensionality. The rating scale appeared to function effectively. The item hierarchy was consistent with the expected item order. The items, however, did not cover as wide a range of continuum of the latent variable as might be ideal, suggesting that adding more difficult items may be helpful to more closely match the range of ability levels of the sample. Among the four sub-skills of English proficiency (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), listening comprehension appeared to be the most difficult.