The Association between Beliefs about Language Learning and Language Proficiency among Jordanian EFL Learners at Ajloun University College

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the association between beliefs about language learning and language proficiency among Jordanian EFL learners at Ajloun University College. The data were gathered by two modified versions of data collection tools; a questionnaire examining the beliefs about language learning (developed by Horwitz (2001)) and (2) a language proficiency test (developed by Shoeib (2004)). The data collection tools were applied to randomly recruit 100 (Fifty male and Fifty female) participants from the English language department at Ajloun University College. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to process the gathered data and responses. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to examine the association between the participants’ beliefs about language learning and their language proficiency. The results of the study indicated that there is a strong association between the students’ (males and females) specific beliefs (in both males and females) on learning English Language and the level of their language proficiency. Therefore, the results also revealed that female participants were more proficient in using the language compared to their male counterparts. The study ended up with a conclusion stating that other factors, in addition to the students; beliefs about language learning, such as students’ achievement, are affecting the level of language proficiency.