The Power of Belief: Spanish Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy and Student Performance on the National Spanish Examinations

In this study, the researcher investigated Spanish teachers’ sense of efficacy as it relates to their students’ achievement on the AATSP National Spanish Examinations. Results suggest that there is a link between Spanish teacher efficacy and students’ scores on the exams. That is, the higher one’s belief about his or her abilities to teach Spanish, the higher the students’ scores on the exams. Teacher efficacy also was found to be related to participants’ future vocational plans: whether they remain teaching or leave the profession. This research has implications for teacher preparation and professional development highlighting the importance of building a strong sense of efficacy in teaching Spanish.