The Effect of English Musicals on Young Learners’ English Proficiency and Self-Efficacy

The Effect of English Musicals on Young Learners’ English Proficiency and Self-Efficacy

This study aimed to investigate the effects of English musicals on young learners’ English proficiency and self-efficacy. Sixty-two Korean primary school students participated in English musical lessons twice a week for one year, excluding summer and winter vacation periods. Before and after the program, students completed English proficiency tests and five-point Likert-scale questionnaires measuring their self-efficacy. They also responded to an open-ended questionnaire describing perceived changes after completing the year-long musical program. The paired t-test results showed that English musicals had a positive effect on both English proficiency and self-efficacy. Furthermore, analysis of the open-ended questionnaire responses indicated that English musicals have the potential to enhance students’ confidence in speaking English as well as their listening, reading, and writing skills. These findings suggest that incorporating English musicals into primary English education can not only improve young learners’ English proficiency but also foster their self-efficacy, providing an effective strategy for developing the English communicative competence emphasized in the 2022 revised national curriculum.