Effects of podcasts on language learning beliefs and self-efficacy perceptions of first-year Turkish university students

This mixed method study described the language learning beliefs and self-efficacy perceptions of first-year Turkish university students engaged in learning English as a foreign language. It focused on beliefs and self-efficacy perceptions they held before and after using podcasts as language learning objects for twelve weeks, and compared the results to find out whether there was a significant change. It also focused on the description of participants? views and feelings concerning podcasts and related tasks that were covered by the program. In order to investigate learners? self-efficacy perceptions of and beliefs about foreign language learning, Turkish versions of two questionnaires were distributed to 187 Turkish university students (purposive sampling): the BALLI to investigate language learning beliefs, and the English Self-Efficacy Scale to analyze the perceived self-efficacy of English. Both instruments were given before and after the twelve-week podcast-based language learning program. Participants also filled in the Podcast Evaluation form four times during the course to express their views and feelings about repetitive listening to podcasts and doing related tasks. Sixteen participants (proportional quota sampling) were interviewed at the beginning and at the end of the course with the aim of triangulation and gaining deeper understanding of the process. The quantitative data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed rank test. The data from two rounds of interviews were analyzed by following coding procedures. Detailed analysis of data revealed that podcasts had positive effects on certain types of language learning beliefs and English self-efficacy perceptions. Descriptive analysis showed that participants had a great diversity of beliefs. Although some beliefs seemed to be interrelated and reflecting meaningful patterns, contradictory beliefs were also reported. Generally, participants had positive views about the podcasts and related tasks. However, the treatment improved self-efficacy perceptions concerning basic level skills and not advanced ones.Keywords: Podcast, Listening, Language Learning Beliefs, English Self-Efficacy Perception