Considerable evidence indicates that self-efficacy, self-regulated learning, and academic performance are related. However, insufficient research has investigated the relationship between self-efficacy and different types of learning strategies (deep and surface processing strategies), as well as their influence on reading in EFL contexts. This study aims to investigate the effect of students' prior English proficiency on current English reading performance in school through the mediation of self-efficacy, critical thinking, and three types of language learning strategies. Moderation effects of gender and subject specialization were also examined. A large-scale questionnaire was distributed to 780 senior high school students in Taiwan. The findings from structural equation modelling showed that students' prior English level had a significant, direct impact on current English reading performance without a mediator, and significant, indirect effects on current English reading performance via the mediation of self-efficacy, critical thinking, and learning strategies. Deep processing involving critical thinking and metacognition are found to be positively related to surface processing strategies in English reading. Finally, these results suggest the generality of the overall model between males and females as well as between EFL high school students specializing in social science and science in Taiwan.Keywords: self-efficacy, memory strategy, cognitive strategy, metacognitive strategy, critical thinking
IntroductionSelf-efficacy refers to the self-appraisal of one's ability, which is held to be the basis for self-confidence and motivation to accomplish and perform learning tasks (Pintrich, Smith, Garcia, & McKeachie, 1991). Researchers have highlighted the importance of self-efficacy in academic learning, as it has been shown to influence one's effort, persistence, self-regulation, and motivation to a large degree (Bandura, 1986(Bandura, , 1997Linnenbrink & Pintrich, 2003). In first-(L1), second-(L2), or foreign-language (FL) 1 contexts, reading can be influenced by differences in linguistic processing, individual and experiential factors, socio-cultural background, and institutional practice (Grabe, 2009;Grabe & Stoller, 2011). When confronted with language learning tasks, students adopt strategies to perform the task or solve specific problems, to compensate for a deficit in learning (or the test-taking process), and to ultimately enhance performance 1 Ellis (2008) differentiates second language (L2) from foreign-language (FL) learning in terms of what is learned and how it is learned. In L2 learning, the language plays an institutional and social role in communication in the community. In contrast, FL learning occurs in environments where the language plays no major role in the community and is primarily learned as a school subject solely in the classroom. In Taiwan, English is heavily classroom based and is officially considered an FL.
381(Cohen, 2007). Self-efficacy plays an important role in the choice of task...