UNIVERSITITEKNOLOGI MARA

INFLUENCE OF SELF-EFFICACY BELIEFS ON ACADEMIC WRITING PERFORMANCE

OF ESL STUDENTS

INSANIANAK GENAM

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education

in Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESL)

Faculty of Education

October 2009

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the influence of writing self-efficacy beliefs on the students' academic writing performance. The study involved a group of 60 technical ESL students at MARA Vocational Institute in Kuching, Sarawak. Out of 60, 25 were female and 35 male students. The sample was chosen based on convenience sampling whereby the group is available to partake in the study. The students' level of proficiency was determined based on their SPM English grades as these students were fresh from Form Five. Out of 60, 28 were considered of high proficiency as they obtained C4 to A2 in their SPM English paper while the other 32 were of low proficiency as they obtained grades below C4 for their English in their SPM. The study employed two main instruments namely, self-constructed Self-efficacy Scale (SES) and Writing Scoring Rubric (WSR). The SES sets of questionnaire were collected upon completion by the participants. The participants' essays were collected at the end of the investigation which spanned over a two-week period, and the essays were scored using WSR. The data on self-efficacy beliefs were analysed using the SPSS Version 16 for descriptive statistics to determine the participants' level of self-efficacy beliefs. The participants' essay scores were analysed using the WSR Rubric to determine their level of writing ability in the forms of percentage score up to maximum of 100%. The SES scores and the essay scores were analysed using the SPSS Version 16 for a two-way Pearson correlation test. The level of significance was established at p < 0.05. The findings indicated that generally the students regardless of gender or proficiency level were aware of the various sub-processes involved in academic writing. Only female writers showed a significant correlation based on Pearson two-way significance test suggesting that the female students were less apprehensive in approaching their writing tasks.

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Declaration

I declare that the work in this thesis was carried out in accordance with the regulations

of Universiti Teknologi MARA. It is original and is the result of my own work, unless

otherwise indicated or acknowledged as referenced work. This topic has not been

submitted to any other academic institution or non-academic institution for any other

degree or qualification.

In the event that my thesis be found to violate the conditions mentioned above, I

voluntarily waive the right of conferment of my degree and agree to be subjected to the

disciplinary rules and regulations of Universiti Teknologi MARA.

Name of Candidate

Candidate's ID No

Programme

Faculty

Thesis Title

: Insani Anak Genam

: 2005668864

: ED 720 Master in Education (TESL)

: Education

: Influence of Self-efficacy Beliefs on Academic Writing Performance of ESL students

Signature of Candidate

Date \0 tv/\<\«0» 'ZGte

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Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisor, Associate

Professor Dr. Simon Philip Botley @ Faisal Hakim for providing invaluable advice anc

support in ensuring that this thesis is in its present form. I would like to thank all mj

lecturers for their contributions in one way or another. My gratitude also goes to mj

family: my loving husband, Michael Nyangga anak Undi, my lovely children, Daphne

Natasha, Deidre Cindra, Desiree Lorna, Dhamiri Dean Nilly and Danish Goldwin Tindi

for their support and assistance throughout the course of my study. I must also thank mj

colleagues, IKM Director, Encik Mahazani bin AH, Assistant Director (Academic)

Encik Khairulhisyam bin Abdul Kadar, Head of Academic Studies Department, Encil

Nik Mohd Fauzi bin Mustapha, and our English Lecturers, Madam Eliza Embau anal

Singki, Madam Rapeah binti Isa, and, Miss Kartini binti Kaderi for their invaluable

support as well.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS PAGE

Title page i

Abstract ii

Declaration iii

Acknowledgements iv

Table of contents v List of tables ix

List of figures x

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Background to the study 1

1.3 Statement of the problem 2

1.4 Objectives of the study 3

1.5 Research questions 4

1.6 Scope of the study 4

1.7 Significance of the study 5

1.8 Delimitations of the study 5

1.9 Definitions of terms 6

1.0 Conclusion 7

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