A Decade of EFL Self-Efficacy Research: Empirical Status and Future Directions

Abstract

With the growing importance of English globally, EFL (English as a Foreign Language) contexts continue to strive to enhance learners’ English language learning outcomes. The last decade has witnessed a growing recognition of self-efficacy as a crucial psychological mechanism in learning pursuits. This paper presents a review aiming to paint a picture of a decade of EFL self-efficacy research. The aim of this review is threefold. First, it provides an overall explanation of self-efficacy theory and its potential as one of the strongest determinants of human behavior. Then, it aims to review and thematically synthesize the growing empirical research on EFL self-efficacy in the last decade. Finally, the review pulls the research findings together, providing the foundation for implications for policymakers and future research directions.