Arabic Language Efficacy Questionnaire (ALEQ): Assessing Self-Efficacy and Achievement

Nik Hanan Mustapha, Nik Farhan Mustapha, Nadwah Daud, Mahmud Abd Wahab

Abstract


Self-efficacy has long been a focus in language learning. Perceived as one’s belief in his or her own capabilities in accomplishing a particular task, it affirms that personal behaviours, thoughts, beliefs and environmental conditions pose great impact on achievement. However, in Arabic language learning, research on self-efficacy is still at its infancy, what more of an instrument which precisely measures self-efficacy in Arabic language learning environment. Hence, this paper aims at verification of a newly-developed instrument, Arabic Language Efficacy Questionnaire (ALEQ), as well as to explore the relationship between self-efficacy and Arabic language achievement. A sample of 234 undergraduate students majoring in Arabic language was exposed to ALEQ, and a set of tests to determine their achievement in reading, writing and grammar. A principal components analysis with varimax rotation yields a 3-factor solution with satisfactory psychometric properties. The Pearson’s r correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between efficacy in reading, writing and grammar and students’ achievement. Results clearly document that the ALEQ is a multidimensional measurement of Arabic language efficacy. It is concluded that although ALEQ has broad applicability, the scale herein may have relevance to the students’ level of confidence in learning Arabic language and may be used in both research and teaching environments. 


Keywords


self-efficacy; Arabic language; reading; writing; grammar

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abdul Ghani Md. Hassan. (1999). Kesilapan membina ayat asas Bahasa Arab di kalangan pelajar sekolah menengah. Unpublished master dissertation. University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

Asmah Haji Omar. (1982). Language and society in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Bernhardt, E. B. (1991). Reading development in a second language. Norwood, NJ: Ablex.

Collins, S.J., & Bissell, K.L. (2004). Confidence and competence among community college students: Self-efficacy and performance in grammar. Community College Journal of Research and Practices. Vol 28, 663-675.

Field, A. (2009). Discovering statistics using SPSS. London: Sage Publications Ltd.

Ghazali Yusri, Nik Mohd Rahimi, Parilah M. Shah, Wan Haslina Wah & Ahmed Thalal Hassan. (2011). Kepercayaan Jangkaan Keupayaan Kendiri Dalam Kalangan Pelajar Kursus Bahasa Arab. GEMA OnlineTM Journal of Language Studies. Vol 11(1), 81-96.

Grabe, W. (2009). Reading in a second language: Moving from theory to practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Hair, J. E., Anderson, R. E., Tatham, R. L., & Black W. C. (1998). Multivariate data analysis. 5th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Huang, S. C., & Chang, S. F. (1998). Self-efficacy in learners of English as a second language: Four examples. Journal of Intensive English Studies. Vol 12, 23-40.

Kamarul Shukri Mat Teh. (2006). Pengajaran bahasa Arab di Malaysia: Menelusuri arus perubahan. Paper presented at Bengkel Pengajaran Bahasa Arab, Universiti Darul Iman, Kuala Terengganu.

Linnenbrink, E.A., & Pintrich, P.R. (2003). The Role of self-efficacy beliefs in student engagement and learning in the classroom. Reading & Writing Quarterly. Vol 19, 119-137.

Mills, N., Pajares, F., & Herron, C. (2006). A Reevaluation of the role of anxiety: Self-efficacy, anxiety and their relation to reading and listening proficiency. Foreign Language Annals. Vol 39, 276-295.

Mills, N., Pajares, F., & Herron, C. (2007). Self-efficacy of college intermediate French students: Relation to achievement and motivation. Language Learning. Vol 57(3), 417-442.

Mohamad Azrien Mohamed Adnan & Shukeri Mohamad. (2011). Language Learning Strategies and Self-Efficacy Belief in Arabic Language Learning: A Malaysia Context. ASEAN Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Vol 3(2), 48-59.

Nik Farhan Mustapha.( 2002). Tahap penguasaan kata imbuhan di kalangan pelajar: Tinjauan di UPM. Unpublished master dissertation. National University of Malaysia, Bangi.

Nik Mohd Rahimi Nik Yusoff. (1998). Bahasa Arab untuk kemahiran komunikasi: Satu kajian tentang perlaksanaannya dan cabaran pengajaran dan pembelajaran di abad ke-21. Prosiding isu-isu pendidikan negara, Bangi.

Noor Azizi Ismail. (1999). Analisis kesilapan penggunaan pelaku bahasa Arab dalam karangan pelajar Melayu. Unpublished master dissertation. University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

Norazman Mohd. Nordin. (2006). Penguasaan kemahiran membaca dalam bahasa Arab: Satu kajian kes. Unpublished master dissertation. University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

Pajares, F. (1996). Self-efficacy beliefs in academic settings. Review of Educational Research. Vol 66(4), 543-578.

Pajares, F. (2003). Self-efficacy beliefs, motivation and achievement in writing: A review of the literature. Reading & Writing Quarterly. Vol 19, 139-158.

Pajares, F., & Johnson, M.J. (1996). Self-efficacy beliefs in the writing of high school students: A path analysis. Psychology in the Schools, 33, 163-175.

Parodi, G. (2007). Reading-writing connections: Discourse oriented research. Reading and Writing. Vol 20, 225-250.

Raja Mohd Fauzi Raja Musa, Mowafak Abdullah Ahmad & Mohamed Amin Embi. (1999). The acquisition of Arabic reading comprehension skills among religious secondary school students: A pilot study. Jurnal Pendidikan. Vol 24, 115-131.

Schunk, D. H. (2003). Self-efficacy for reading and writing: Influence of modeling, goal setting and self-evaluation. Reading & Writing Quarterly. Vol 19, 159-172.

Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (2007). Influencing children’s self-efficacy and self-regulation of reading and writing through modeling. Reading & Writing Quarterly. Vol 23, 7-25.

Shell, D. F., Colvin, C., & Bruning, R. H. (1995). Self-efficacy, attribution and outcome expectancy mechanisms in reading and writing achievement: Grade-level and achievement-level differences. Journal of Educational Psychology. Vol 87(3), 386-398.

Stevens, J. (1996). Applied multivariate statistics for the social sciences. 3rd ed. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

Taylor, R. (1990). Interpretation of the correlation coefficient: A basic review. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Vol 6(1), 35-39.

Walker, B. J. (2003). The cultivation of student self-efficacy in reading and writing. Reading & Writing Quarterly. Vol 19, 173-187.

Wan Azura Wan Ahmad, Lubna Abd. Rahman, Arnida Abu Bakar, & Ahmad Pangidoan Nasution Mandily. (2007). Pendekatan dan strategi efektif dalam penguasaan Bahasa Arab. Nilai: Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.

Zimmerman, B. J. (1996). Measuring and mismeasuring academic self-efficacy: Dimensions, problems, and misconceptions. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New York.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


 

 

 

eISSN : 2550-2131

ISSN : 1675-8021