Do Engineering Students Possess Higher English Self-Efficacy Beliefs than Other Students in Saudi Arabia? A Comparative Study Using ANOVA

Abstract

Although the concept of Self-efficacy beliefs has been the subject of numerous research in many fields, studies that showed interest in English self-efficacy, especially when English is used as a medium of instruction in higher education in Saudi Arabia, are very limited or non-existent. The present study aimed at assessing the strengths of Engineering, Law, Finance, and other university students’ self-efficacy beliefs to complete their higher education in English as a medium of instruction in Saudi Arabia and to compare the different fields of study on the English self-efficacy variable. Descriptive statistics and one-way Analysis of variance were utilized to analyze the data and answer the research questions. Findings showed that participants regardless of their fields of study possess high levels of English self-efficacy beliefs for writing, listening, and speaking. Regarding comparisons, results showed statistically significant mean differences for self-efficacy for speaking. The four Post-Hoc mean comparisons were found to be statistically significant. When compared with Law students, Finance, and others, Engineering students scored significantly higher on the spoken English self-efficacy beliefs subscale. A few limitations were mentioned, and recommendations made for future similar studies.