Identifying Sources of English-Speaking Self-Efficacy among Vietnamese EFL University Learners

Abstract

Current research shows that self-efficacy plays a crucial role in academic success. Therefore, understanding how learners perceive their self-efficacy can lead to more positive and realistic views on learning foreign languages, especially in improving English-speaking skills. This study focuses on identifying the sources of self-efficacy in English speaking among 203 Vietnamese university students and examining its connection with their speaking performance. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire for quantitative analysis and a speaking test to assess speaking skills. The results reveal that the students generally had strong self-efficacy in English speaking, with emotional and physical experiences being the main contributors to their self-efficacy. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between their self-efficacy in speaking English and their actual speaking performance. These findings significantly illuminate how self-efficacy influences speaking performance in the context of language learning.