The Relationship among the Iranian EAP Learners' Self-confidence, Language Achievement, and Gender

Subject Areas : Journal of Applied Linguistics Studies

Mehrdad Yousefabadi ¹ , Narjes Ghafournia ²

1 - Department of English, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran.
2 - Department of English, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran.

Received: 2023-03-20 Accepted : 2023-12-18 Published : 2024-01-01

Keywords: Language learner achievement, Language learners’ Self-confidence,

Abstract :

The study probed the relationship between Iranian EAP learners' self-confidence and language achievement of hotel-management students concerning their gender. Initially, 100 BA male and female students at two non-governmental universities of Darvishi and Pardisan in Mashhad-Iran participated in the study. Based on Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) table of random sampling, 80 participants were considered as the target sample. The data were gathered through administering two instruments including Moradi et.al’s (2014) language learners’ self-confidence questionnaire and an EAP language achievement test, derived from Rashidi (2017). The data were analyzed using SPSS 24. The study followed a quantitative descriptive design. The findings indicated positive significant relation between learners' self-confidence and language test scores. Concerning gender, there did not exist any significant difference in self-confidence. The findings also proved the significant predicting role of self-confidence for language proficiency level of the participants. The findings have some implications for EAP teachers, syllabus designers, and international tourism industry authorities. The findings suggest the significance of non-linguistic factors including self-confidence in language learning process.