Investigating high and low self-efficacy in Korean L2 English learners studying abroad in Malta

Abstract

Self-efficacy plays a vital role in the way language learners progress in their learning and the motivation they maintain throughout the language learning process. This research project aims to investigate motivation amongst Korean language students studying English in private language schools in Malta by inquiring into how self-perception of their English skills have fluctuated throughout their study abroad experience and impacted their efficacious beliefs. This research seeks to answer the two following research questions: (i) How does self-efficacy in Korean L2 English learners fluctuate during their study abroad experience in Malta? (ii) What impact does this have on their motivation, and the realization of Dörnyei’s concept of the ideal and ought-to L2 self? The research questions have been addressed qualitatively by means of an online survey that was distributed amongst a sample of Korean language students, followed by semi-structured personal interviews that were carried out to supplement the data qualitatively. Through the chosen research instruments, it was concluded that self-efficacy tended to increase amongst Korean students studying abroad in Malta. Confidence played a role in raising efficacious beliefs and realising Korean L2 English learners’ ideal selves from their ought-to L2 selves. The interviews conducted delved further into the nature of motivation and fluctuations in efficacy when in a new learning environment and assisted in further enriching the collected data.