The Relationship Between High School Students’ L2 Digital Identities and Their Self-Efficacy

Abstract

Language learner identity is the core of learners’ choices, perceived roles, and ways to portray themselves to the world in their learning process. With the rise of informal digital learning of English, many learners learn English on various platforms with diverse goals and motivations. This situation makes language learners create a second language (L2) digital identity by leading them to assume new roles suitable for these digital learning platforms. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the impacts of these constructed identities on learners’ language skills or willingness to communicate. However, there is a scarcity of research on how language learners construct their L2 digital identities, and whether these identities affect learners’ beliefs about their capabilities in the classroom. Therefore, by focusing on learners’ experiences and feelings in digital language activities and their beliefs about their abilities in classroom tasks, this study uncovered the relationship between learners’ L2 digital identity constructions and their self- efficacy. Adopting an exploratory sequential mixed method, this study used semi-structured interviews and structured questionnaires as the data collection tool which were collected from 116 high school students. Interviews were analyzed with thematic analysis and questionnaires were analyzed with correlation and regression analysis. The findings showed that there is a positive relationship between learners’ L2 digital identities, their classroom involvement and English self- efficacy. The study will raise teachers' and educators’ awareness of learners’ needs and wants and help them to keep up with this era’s changing needs through new digital-based language materials and methods supporting autonomous learning. Keywords: Language learning, second language (L2) digital identity, self-efficacy, informal digital learning of English, high school student