Fluent or discriminated? English language and experiential sources of career self-efficacy among Asian international students in the United States

Language is a carrier of culture, identity, and skills that impacts vocational behaviors. However, the role of English language in Asian international students’ experiential sources of self-efficacy has not been assessed. The present study aims to explore the relations between sociolinguistic experiences, including English proficiency (EP) and perceived language discrimination (PLD), and experiential sources of self-efficacy (prior success, verbal persuasion, vicarious learning, and physiological and emotional states) in a sample of 124 Asian international students in the USA. Results from a polynomial regression model with response surface mapping indicated that the agreement between EP and PLD was associated with prior success and verbal persuasion only for students at extremes. The discrepancy between EP and PLD was associated with prior success and verbal persuasion linearly. Suggestions for future research and implications for vocational guidance are discussed in terms of supporting Asian international students.