Adaptation and psychometric validation of the short-form foreign language enjoyment and anxiety scales for Spanish adolescents

Abstract

The best practice psychometric guidelines stipulate that any translations and adaptations of measurement scales require rigorous validation to ensure that they provide equivalent and accurate measurements. In accordance with these standards, this paper validated the adolescent versions of the Short-Form Foreign Language Enjoyment-Adolescent (S-FLES-A) and Short-form Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety-Adolescent (S-FLCAS-A) scales in Spanish. The study assessed the validity and reliability in three steps of the translated and adapted scales using a sample of 310 Spanish adolescents. First, through principal component analyses (PCA), the factor structures of both scales were examined. Second, confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) evidenced the model structures. Third, the reliability, validity, and invariance of the scales were explored. Both scales demonstrated identical factors and structures in PCA and CFA compared to the originals. Reliability, discriminant, and convergent validity were found. For Spanish adolescents, invariance testing indicated equivalent measures across age and gender. Invariance testing between the newly developed adolescent versions and the original adult S-FLES and S-FLCAS showed they were not directly comparable. In conclusion, the S-FLES-A and S-FLCAS-A are newly adapted, valid and reliable instruments designed to measure enjoyment and anxiety in Spanish adolescent foreign language students.