Learning is a process that involves both cognitive and affective components and that requires appropriate educational strategies. The present study investigates the links between self-efficacy and anxiety in second language learning, and the effectiveness of the singing songs teaching strategy upon students’ speaking performance. In particular, we tested whether singing songs in class during English lessons affects the relationship between self-efficacy, anxiety and performance in a group of Italian high school students learning English as a second language (N = 132; age ranging 16-19 years). The data were collected through a production task in which the vocabulary extension, the number of words, and the fluency of speech were coded and calculated as a general indicator of students’ linguistic competence. In addition, students were asked about their use of sing- ing as an educational activity during English lessons. Results of bootstrapping analyses confirmed our prediction that foreign language self-efficacy is correlated to performance, through the mediation of anxiety. Our results also showed that the use of a singing songs strategy moderates the association of low self-efficacy to anxiety and performance, thus suggesting its plausibility as a positive pedagogical tool in second language learning activities. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Self-efficacy and anxiety in learning english as a foreign language: singing in class helps speaking performance / Passiatore, Ylenia; Pirchio, Sabine; Oliva, Clorinda; Angelopanno, ; Carrus, Giuseppe. - In: JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES. - ISSN 2037-7932. - 20:(2019), pp. 121-138. [10.7358/ecps-2019-020-passi]

Self-efficacy and anxiety in learning english as a foreign language: singing in class helps speaking performance

Ylenia Passiatore;Sabine Pirchio;Giuseppe Carrus
2019

Abstract

Learning is a process that involves both cognitive and affective components and that requires appropriate educational strategies. The present study investigates the links between self-efficacy and anxiety in second language learning, and the effectiveness of the singing songs teaching strategy upon students’ speaking performance. In particular, we tested whether singing songs in class during English lessons affects the relationship between self-efficacy, anxiety and performance in a group of Italian high school students learning English as a second language (N = 132; age ranging 16-19 years). The data were collected through a production task in which the vocabulary extension, the number of words, and the fluency of speech were coded and calculated as a general indicator of students’ linguistic competence. In addition, students were asked about their use of sing- ing as an educational activity during English lessons. Results of bootstrapping analyses confirmed our prediction that foreign language self-efficacy is correlated to performance, through the mediation of anxiety. Our results also showed that the use of a singing songs strategy moderates the association of low self-efficacy to anxiety and performance, thus suggesting its plausibility as a positive pedagogical tool in second language learning activities. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
2019
anxiety; learning english as a foreign language; self-efficacy; singing songs; speaking performance
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Self-efficacy and anxiety in learning english as a foreign language: singing in class helps speaking performance / Passiatore, Ylenia; Pirchio, Sabine; Oliva, Clorinda; Angelopanno, ; Carrus, Giuseppe. - In: JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES. - ISSN 2037-7932. - 20:(2019), pp. 121-138. [10.7358/ecps-2019-020-passi]
File allegati a questo prodotto
File Dimensione Formato  
Passiatore_Self-efficacy-anxiety_2019.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (versione pubblicata con il layout dell'editore)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 258.77 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
258.77 kB Adobe PDF

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1417139
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 9
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 6
social impact