The influence of gender and self-efficacy on the English writing ability of central Indonesian students

Abstract

Gender and Self-Efficacy are two things that can influence the quality of student learning in the classroom. This applied linguistics study investigates the impact of gender and self-efficacy on Indonesian students' English writing proficiency. This study aims to explore potential differences in writing abilities between male and female students and the influence of their self-efficacy on their writing performance. It used a mixed methods research design that combined quantitative measures and qualitative interpretation. It selected some Indonesian students from several educational institutions as the respondents. The respondents’ writing abilities were assessed through a standardized writing test. In addition, a questionnaire related to self-efficacy was conducted to measure students' self-efficacy and its correlation to their writing abilities. The quantitative analyses revealed important differences in writing performance based on gender and varying levels of self-efficacy. In addition, the qualitative findings provide insight into the factors that influence students' self-efficacy and their perceptions of writing as a skill. The implications of this study draw attention to the importance of addressing individual differences and self-perceptions in language learning contexts. Understanding the influence of gender and self-efficacy on English writing skills can direct educators in adapting learning approaches to effectively improve students' writing skills. The study concludes that English writing abilities among the students reveals significant gender-based influences on the development of skills: male students' scores were lower than female students', highlighting gender-based disparities. Self-efficacy also played a significant role in enhancing students' English writing abilities. It also shows that there is a significant interaction effect between gender and self-efficacy. It affects the trajectory of English writing skills. There are many factors influencing the development of English writing abilities that calls for further exploration in academic discourse.