This qualitative research study adopted an ethnographic approach with a realistic design to conduct this inquiry. This method was used because the inquiry focused on the documentation and interpretation of students' beliefs and experiences with the SBA within a school culture. The inquiry also entailed exploring whether their self-efficacy was in any way impacted by the experience. Twenty students in Grade 11 discussed their perceptions of the English SBA and related their experiences with the required portfolio tasks by participating in semistructured interviews and completing an open-ended questionnaire. An analysis of the collected data in response to three overarching research questions resulted in the following themes: (a) SBA helped with the development of skills for present and future academic and career pursuits; (b) contributed to overall exam grade; (c) exceedingly time consuming and impinged on time needed for other SBAs, regular schoolwork, and exams; (d) SBA is unnecessary; (e) perceptions of the utility of the portfolio tasks were varied; (f) students expressed confidence that they would successfully complete the SBA portfolio; (g) resulted in pleasure upon completing tasks; (h) not all were able to successfully manage all tasks; (i) students employed various strategies to help them combat the challenges they encountered; and (j) student efficacy was impacted by the English SBA portfolio experience. This research may prove to further our understanding of the utility and challenges facing students completing their English SBAs, informing the Ministry of Education, Education Officers, principals, and policy makers. Considering the findings, the research has several limitations in which several recommendations have been made to address these limitations along with suggestions for future research. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]