THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACADEMIC SELF-CONCEPT AND LEARNING ENGLISH IN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Based on research, academic self-concept and academic achievement are mutually interdependent. In this study, the aim was to find out if there is any relationship between the academic self-concept and learning English as a foreign language in students. The participants were 320 students studying in 4th grade of high school in west of Mazandaran province which were chosen by using intact sampling method. The data collection instrument for academic self-concept was Academic Self-Concept Questionnaire (ASCQ) (Liu & Wang, 2005) which consists of 20 items. For obtaining data regarding the students' achievement, an English test and a general test including three subjects of Arabic, Persian literature and Theology. The research findings showed a close relationship between academic self-concept and measures of academic achievement in both English and Grade Point Average. It is necessary to give sufficient and proper attention to self-concept and teachers should be offered methodogical guidance in order to work on it through the educational process.