Motivation, anxiety, and self-efficacy in learning aviation English: a study of Indonesian aviation cadets

Abstract Indonesian aviation cadets’ complex and multi-faceted tasks have directed them to exhaustion and less learning focus. Their motivation and self-efficacy in learning Aviation English are hampered so their anxiety dominates. This hypothetical cause and effect enforce the present study to describe their motivation, anxiety, and self-efficacy in learning Aviation English. The present study also aimed to reveal the effect of each construct on their learning performance and identify the most predictive sub-skills that contribute to their motivation, anxiety, and self-efficacy formation. This study used a cross-sectional survey research design with a quantitative research approach. There were 207 aviation cadets chosen purposively to participate in the study. Data were collected using the Motivation, Anxiety, and Self-Efficacy Scale (MASS) with a 6-point Likert’s scaling method ( α = .987) and cadets’ final test scores. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson r correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression with the assistance of SPSS software. Results showed that cadets’ motivation, anxiety, and self-efficacy in learning Aviation English were high, thus, their learning optimism and pessimism were growing together. Each variable had a positive and strong relationship with one other ( r > .05, p < .001). Another finding was that communication and test anxiety was the most influencing factor in determining cadets’ learning performance.