e-Tandem jitters: a study of online learners’ foreign language
anxiety
Due to the increasing use of technology to enhance Foreign Language (FL) education, research on learners’ emotions in new learning environments is calling for more attention (Beirne, Mac Lochlainn, Nic Giolla, & Mhichíl, 2018). In this study, we focus on Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA), a debilitating emotion; and e-Tandem learning, a telecollaborative Foreign Language Learning (FLL) practice. e-Tandem has a vast potential to foster learners’ FL skills (Cziko, 2013), although it might trigger learners’ FLA as well. Since little research has been carried out, hitherto, on FLA in e-tandem learners, this investigation aims to gain new insights into this topic. First, we want to analyze the appropriateness of the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) ( Horwitz, Horwitz, & Cope, 1986) to assess e-tandem learners’ FLA. Second, we want to observe to what extent e-tandem contributes to reduce learners’ FLA over time. Descriptive statistics are carried out and results are discussed.