318 Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 8, No. 2 Publication Date: February 25, 2021 DOI:10.14738/assrj.82.9660. Mohammed, A. (2021). Students’ Speaking Proficiency and Self-efficacy Theory. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 8(2) 318- 325. Students’ Speaking Proficiency and Self-efficacy Theory Abdelaziz Mohammed College of Sciences & Arts-Qilwah, Albaha University. Saudi Arabia ABSTRACT This study is aiming at investigating the possible source of Saudi EFL students' speaking self-efficacy that effect on their speaking proficiency. The investigation used Banduras' theory of self-efficacy as this theory has great effective factors and role in student’s ability in mastering any task. The study sample included 10 male and female students. Their proficiency was observed and analyzed collectively to find the real behaviors in real EFL classroom settings; and using Bandura's theory of self-efficacy in speaking component as appropriate criteria to study its expected source. The most important conclusion is that not only all the sources in Bandura's theory were found among Saudi EFL students, but also, they differ greatly according to each one’s proficiency experience and social persuasion. Additionally, it was found due to other factors as self-employed strategies and intellectual ability. Thus, the study recommended that it is important to warm-up students with advance activities to ease the positivity and overcome their negativity towards speaking skill. Finally, the study recommends conducting further research targeting a largest number of students for the purpose of studying speaking skill preferences in relation to other English language skills. Key words: Listening Skill; EFL factors; listening proficiency; Bandura’s theory INTRODUCTION Albert Bandura Social learning theory that can occur purely through observation (of rewards and punishments, or vicarious reinforcement) or direct instruction as a cognitive process that takes place in a social context. The theory enlarges on traditional behavioral theories, in which behavior is administered specially by assistances, by insertion prominence on the vital roles of various internal processes in the learning individual. Although speaking is an observable phenomenon, language production is an intrinsically more complicated subject to research than comprehension. Normally, speaking a foreign language always seems to be one of the most demanding skills to be developed specially for foreign language learners. In this theory, human beings are viewed as proactive agents who are responsible and engaged in their own process of development. Bandura's (1997) believes that people can make things happen by their actions. Many personal factors affect the agent role of the individuals; chief among them is the possession of self- belief in the individuals. Self-belief is a key element which enables every individual to have control over his own actions, thoughts, and feelings that what people think, believe, and feel affects how they behave (Bandura, A., 1986: 25). Moreover, studies on self- efficacy and foreign language learning found a positive effect (Huang and Chang, 1998; Pajares and Valiante, 1997). Although they