Yemeni EFL Learners’ future self-images and their relationship to the English Language proficiency

Abstract EN

This exploratory correlational study addresses the issue of Yemeni EFL Learners’ Future Self-images, Ideal Self-images and Ought-to Self-image and their relationship to the English language proficiency, mainly, speaking and writing --fourth level students, Department of English Sana’a University of the academic year of 2017-2018.

It also aims at exploring which of the two Future Self-images addressed is more evident amongst Yemeni EFL learners.

In addition, the study attempts to ascertain the role of gender on Future Self-images.

Data gathering instruments were all set and validated for the purpose of the study; which were Future Self-images questionnaire (12 Ideal Self-image items & 12 Ought-to Self-image items), English proficiency (speaking & and writing) tests and two Scoring Scales.

Fifty two Students (12 males and 40 females (the sample) took both the Future Self-images questionnaire and the English proficiency tests in the academic year 2017-2018.

and two Data gathering instruments were all set and validated for the purpose of the study; which were Future Self-images questionnaire (12 Ideal Self-image items & 12 Ought-to Self-image items), English proficiency (speaking & and writing) tests and two Scoring Scales.

Fifty two Students (12 males and 40 females (the sample) took both the Future Self-images questionnaire and the English proficiency tests in the academic year 2017-2018.

Descriptive analyses-frequencies, and, t-test for independent groups, and Pearson-product moment correlation- were utilized to analyze the data.

Results show that Yemeni EFL students have higher Ought-to Self-image mean scores (3.6) than Ideal Self-image mean scores (3.04) Further, each of the two Future Self-images, Ideal Self-image and Ought-to Self-image has a bipolar direction in regard to male and female students.

While, female students have higher mean Ideal Self-image scores (2.6) toward learning English, their counterpart male students have higher mean Ought-to Self-image scores (3.15).

Furthermore results revealed a significant and strong relationship between Yemeni EFL learners’ ---Ideal Self-images-Ought-to Self-image-- and speaking and writing proficiency respectively and uniquely.

This article ends with some recommendations and suggestions for future research.