Examining the relationship between IELTS preparation and English language proficiency skills of international students

Maryam, Zahra; Rehman, Asad Ur; Nawal, Ayesha; Shoaib, Muhammad; Ullah, Ihtisham

dc.title	Examining the relationship between IELTS preparation and English language proficiency skills of international students	en
dc.contributor.author	Maryam, Zahra
dc.contributor.author	Rehman, Asad Ur
dc.contributor.author	Nawal, Ayesha
dc.contributor.author	Shoaib, Muhammad
dc.contributor.author	Ullah, Ihtisham
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of International Students
dc.identifier.issn	2162-3104 Scopus Sources, Sherpa/RoMEO, JCR
dc.identifier.issn	2166-3750 Scopus Sources, Sherpa/RoMEO, JCR
dc.date.issued	2025
utb.relation.volume	15
utb.relation.issue	8
dc.citation.spage	95
dc.citation.epage	120
dc.type	article
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher	STAR Scholars Network
dc.identifier.doi	10.32674/rv7pqq16
dc.relation.uri	https://www.ojed.org/jis/article/view/7836
dc.relation.uri	https://www.ojed.org/jis/article/view/7836/3526
dc.subject	IELTS	en
dc.subject	learning motivation for self-regulated learning	en
dc.subject	perceived self-efficacy for academic achievement	en
dc.subject	time management skills	en
dc.subject	international students	en
dc.description.abstract	IELTS is a widely accepted English language proficiency test, required for academic and professional purposes. In this study, we examined the relationship between IELTS and the English proficiency skills of international students. We developed a proximal mediation model based on Bandura's triadic reciprocal determinism theory and tested it using covariance-based structural equation modeling. Data were collected through a survey of 275 international students preparing for IELTS to meet their academic requirements. The students reported that IELTS assessments significantly improved their English skills. They reported positive views of IELTS as an exam to enhance their language proficiency. Learning motivation for self-regulated learning and perceived self-efficacy for academic achievement served as two mediating factors that positively influenced the relationship between students' perceptions of IELTS and their English skills. Finally, the study analyzed the moderating effects of students' time management skills and found significant positive moderating effects.	en
utb.faculty	Faculty of Management and Economics
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10563/1012604
utb.identifier.scopus	2-s2.0-105011148864
utb.identifier.wok	001532675000005
utb.source	j-scopus
dc.date.accessioned	2025-11-27T12:48:53Z
dc.date.available	2025-11-27T12:48:53Z
dc.rights	Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 Unported
dc.rights.uri	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.rights.access	openAccess
utb.contributor.internalauthor	Shoaib, Muhammad
utb.fulltext.affiliation	Zahra Maryam Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia Asad Ur Rehman Management Science University, Malaysia Ayesha Nawal Management Science University, Malaysia Muhammad Shoaib Tomas Bata University, Czechia Ihtisham Ullah Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Malaysia
utb.fulltext.dates	Received: March 1, 2025 Revised: June 17, 2025 Accepted: June 28, 2025 Published: 2025-09-13
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utb.fulltext.sponsorship	This research would not have been possible without the support, contributions, and encouragement of several individuals. Special appreciation is extended to Dr. Ihtisham Ullah,the corresponding author, whose continuous guidance and constructive feedback throughout the research process have been invaluable. I am also deeply grateful to the other authors who provided valuable insights during the research development. We also acknowledge the statistical and technical support received during the data analysis phase by Dr. Asad-Ur-Rehman. I acknowledge that I did not utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools for content creation in preparing this manuscript.
utb.scopus.affiliation	Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat, Malaysia; Management & Science University, Malaysia, Shah Alam, Malaysia; Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Zlin, Czech Republic; Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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