scholarly journals Observing Anxiety in the Foreign Language Classroom: Student Silence and Nonverbal Cues

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-141
Author(s):  
Kate Maher ◽  
Jim King
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Negative Evaluation ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Nonverbal Cues ◽  
Multiple Forms ◽  
Image Protection ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom

This study looked at multiple forms of silence and nonverbal cues of language anxiety in the foreign language classroom to explore their functions from the perspectives of students. Using the Classroom Oral Participation Scheme (COPS) developed by King (2013), 18 hours of observation produced data on learners’ verbal and non-verbal participation behaviours in Japanese university EFL classes. The data was analysed using the COPS participatory categories. Three recurring forms of silent L2 behaviour were identified: short responses, use of L1, and non-talk. Semi-structured follow-up interviews were carried out with 14 studentswhose silent behaviour was observed and transcribed into a corpus of 43,711 words. In addition to facilitative functions of silence such as cognitive processing, interviewees reported using silence to navigate interpersonal interactions with their classmates and fear of negative evaluation by peers. Findings illustrate how anxious learners may limit social exchanges in the target language for image protection purposes. For example, some students used short responses to avoid revealing a different opinion to their partner that might lead to an awkward interaction. The results suggest that awareness of nonverbal cues and silent behaviour - with multiple forms and functions, should be explored further as an approach to detecting language anxiety in EFL contexts.

scholarly journals Student Language Anxiety in Learning English (A survey to non-English Major students in rural area)

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Tuti Hidayati
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Negative Evaluation ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Language Class ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
English Major ◽  
English Classroom

Learners’ difficulties in learning a foreign language cannot merely be linked to the lack of ability or intelligence. Language anxiety or the feeling of tension, apprehension, fearfulness, and worry in language class had been pointed to greatly influence learner’s progress in mastering the target language. Highly anxious learners were found to achieve less and had low motivation. This study reports a survey investigating the level of language anxiety and its perceived causes and discusses some alternatives to deal with it. The participants were 114 non-English major students in State Islamic College of Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh in West Aceh. Data were collected employing Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale developed by Horwitz, Horwitz, and Cope, (1986). The finding indicated that the students participating in the study exhibited a moderate level of language anxiety obtaining FLCAS mean score 102.17. The main cause of language anxiety was attributed to fear of negative evaluation with the highest average mean 3,5. Communication apprehension and test anxiety were in the second and third rank with the average mean 3,3 and 3,1 respectively. Meanwhile, English classroom items were perceived to contribute the least to the students’ tense experience given the average mean 2,7. It is suggested that making the learners realize that they are not alone experiencing anxiety in learning a foreign language is crucial. Furthermore, it is important that teachers embrace a supportive and non-threatening role to provide a more effective foreign language learning.

scholarly journals Do prospective primary school teachers suffer from Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) in Spain?

2019 ◽  
pp. 9-30
Author(s):  
Marian Amengual Pizarro
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Negative Evaluation ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Anxiety ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Language Classroom

The main aim of this study is to investigate Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) in relation to the teaching and learning of English as a foreign language. A total of 75 prospective primary school teachers at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) took part in this study. A small questionnaire that included the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) (Horwitz et al., 1986) was used to collect data. The results of this study show that most participants experience average and high anxiety levels in the language classroom. Communication apprehension was reported to be the main source of FLA, followed by fear of negative evaluation and test anxiety. The findings also revealed the strong association between FLA, motivation, language proficiency and degree of self-confidence. Furthermore, the data indicate that the primary source of speaking anxiety is related to participants’ lack of English proficiency. This may have potential adverse effects on the confidence levels of L2 teachers, their target language use, and their instructional competence (Horwitz, 1996).

scholarly journals Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety among Iraqi Students and its Relation With Gender and Achievement

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taha Talib Ali ◽  
Wong Fook Fei
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Negative Evaluation ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
Classroom Anxiety

Language anxiety is always seen as debilitative factor that deters learners from successfully learning a foreign language. Although many studies have been reported on foreign language learners’ anxieties, little research, if any, has been undertaken on Iraqi postgraduate EFL learners. The objective of the present study is threefold: a) to investigate the factors contributing to foreign language classroom anxiety among Iraqi postgraduate EFL students, b) to investigate the difference between both genders in the level of anxiety and c) to investigate the relationship between the level of anxiety and the academic achievement of the students based on GPA. The study employed a mixed mode approach using survey questionnaire (AFLAQ)and semi-structured interview. The study reported that three factors such as communication apprehension, negative evaluation and test anxiety are anxiety-arousing factors with test anxiety has the greatest contribution. The study also reported that females show more anxiety compared to males. It was also shown that there is a negative correlation between language anxiety and academic achievement which means that students with high level of FL anxiety tend to yield lower grades and vice-versa. Keywords: Arabic Foreign Language Anxiety Questionnaire (AFLAQ), Anxiety factors, Gender differences, Academic achievement

scholarly journals Lowering Foreign Language Anxiety through Self-Regulated Learning Strategy Use

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armineh Martirossian ◽  
Anahid Hartoonian
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
Negative Evaluation ◽  
Self Regulated Learning ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety ◽  
Regulated Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
Classroom Anxiety

<p>Foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA) and self-regulated learning strategies (SRLSs) are two important factors that influence language learning process in negative and positive ways respectively. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between FLCA and SRLSs. To this end, 100 university students majoring in TEFL were selected. For collecting data, Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (Horwitz, Horwitz, &amp; Cope, 1986) and Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (Pintrich &amp; De Groot, 1990) were used. To analyze the data, Kendall correlation was run. The results revealed that there is a negative relationship between FLCA (communication apprehension, test anxiety, &amp; fear of negative evaluation) and SRLSs (cognitive strategy use &amp; self-regulation).</p>

scholarly journals The Correlation among EFL Learners’ Test Anxiety, Foreign Language Anxiety and Language Achievement

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilek Cakici
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Anxiety ◽  
Language Achievement ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
Text Anxiety ◽  
One Year

<p class="Default">The main aim of this study was to investigate the correlation among test anxiety (TA), foreign language anxiety (FLA) and language achievement of university preparatory students learning English as a foreign language. The sample of the research consisted of 301 (211 females, 90 males) attending a one-year EFL preparatory school at Ondokuz Mayıs University, School of Foreign Languages. The TAI (Test Anxiety Inventory) developed by Spielberger (1980), FLCAS (Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale) developed by Horwitz (1986) and the students’ language achievement scores were used to collect data. In addition, this study aimed to determine the effect of gender on both TA and FLA. The findings of the study revealed that there was no relation between students’ TA and their language achievement. It was also found a significant positive correlation between students’ TA and FLA. Besides, the result demonstrated that there was a significant reverse correlation between students’ FLA and their language achievement. Following t-test results, it was found out that females exhibited higher mean scores than males in both TAI and FLCAS. Finally, certain suggestions were set for EFL teachers to reduce text anxiety and language learning anxiety in foreign language classroom settings.</p>

scholarly journals The influences of lecturers on foreign language classroom anxiety

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norliani Norliani ◽  
Wulida Makhtuna
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Communication Apprehension ◽  
Negative Evaluation ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
Strongly Agree ◽  
Academic Year ◽  
Classroom Anxiety

This study is to find out the influences of lecturers’ attitudes on foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA) levels of students. The study has been carried out at the fifth semester students of English Departement of STKIP PGRI Banjarmsin academic year 2015/2016. The data have been collected by means of questionnaire and interview, designed to measure the FLCA levels. The aim of which is to obtain information about the effects of lecturers’ attitudes on students with different anxiety levels. FLCA tested on three dimensions, communication apprehension, fear of negative evaluation, and test anxiety. It was a five point likert’s scale questionnaire, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Strongly agree was coded by (5) and strongly disagree was coded by (1). The interview and questionnaire were translated into Bahasa Indonesia to make it easy for students to understand. The result of the study have revealed that, in  the  classroom the level of anxiety increases by the influence of lecturers.

scholarly journals FOREIGN LANGUAGE ANXIETY IN STUDENT LEARNING

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (102) ◽  
pp. 18-23
Author(s):  
Asta Lileikienė ◽  
Lina Danilevičienė
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Anxiety ◽  
Low Achievement ◽  
Language Class ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
The University ◽  
Research Analysis

Background. Anxiety includes uncomfortable feelings when learning or using the new language. It continues to exist in the university foreign language classroom as well. A number of foreign language students report feeling anxious about language learning. Research aim was to investigate the foreign language anxiety (in our case, English as a foreign language, EFL) in the classroom context at tertiary level in relation to its effect on foreign language acquisition as well as to design recommendations of how to reduce or exclude foreign language anxiety from the university foreign language classroom. Methods. The Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale developed by E. K. Horwitz, M. B. Horwitz, and Cope (1986) was used. The questionnaire consisted of 5 statements about the respondents’ general background and 33 statements which were evaluated on the Likert scale from 1 to 5 by the research participants. The research sample involved 200 first and second year students of Lithuanian Sports University . Results. The research analysis revealed that the respondents generally felt anxious speaking in the language class, making mistakes and being corrected by the teacher, worrying about the consequences of failing foreign language class and speaking with native speakers. The correlation between the students’ level of knowledge and their feeling of anxiety was established: students of lower level (A2 and B1) tended to feel higher levels of anxiety. Moreover, female participants of this study exhibited higher levels of foreign language anxiety. Conclusions. Foreign language anxiety proved to be a powerful predictor for demotivation in foreign language learning and impeded the acquisition of foreign languages. The research analysis revealed that the majority of younger respondents demonstrated a higher degree of anxiety. The more mature the students were, the more confident they felt in EFL classes. It was found that female students felt higher level of anxiety in learning English as a foreign language than male students. They were more inclined to hesitate and felt anxious in the language classroom, while male undergraduates were more confident and had a greater ability to cope with the feelings of anxiety and nervousness. Students with higher knowledge of English language (level B2) showed lower levels of anxiety and felt more confident in language class. A large number of failures was observed at the pre-intermediate and lower intermediate (A2/B1) levels. Therefore, the learners with high anxiety often got low achievement and low achievement made them more anxious about learning.

scholarly journals Use of Saudi EFL Adult Learners’ L1 to Address Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Khaled Besher Albesher ◽  
Muhammad Sabboor Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Adult Learners ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Medium Of Instruction ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
Classroom Anxiety

This study highlights the major emotional and psychological factors related to the medium of instruction (use of First Language (L1) in the classroom) in the domain of bilingual education for adult Saudi English as foreign language (EFL) learners. The primary area of emphasis is to consider whether the use of L1 in the class reduces the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety (FLCA) or it deprives the learners of the real and constant language inputs, viz., the words of the teacher in the target language. Thus, the main research question of the study is how the medium of instruction (use/mixing of Arabic or use of English-only approach) impacts the FLCA (Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety) of Saudi adult learners. The quantitative research tool of survey has been administered on the teachers and students on five-point Likert-scale with the responses ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. There are twelve items in the survey and each item tends to explore different psychological dimension of the issue. 100 adult Saudi university students and 100 EFL teachers have responded to these items. The main finding of the study is that learner’s L1 speeds up the language learning process in a natural way if used occasionally and judiciously with the objective of keeping self-esteem and self image of the learners intact and bringing their FLCA down. The research study not only brings to surface the current state of bilingual EFL education in Saudi context, but also puts forth recommendations for learners, teachers, administrators, and policy makers to strengthen English language teaching/learning in EFL perspective in the bilingual context.

scholarly journals Foreign language classroom anxiety among English for Specific purposes (ESP) students

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian Amengual-Pizarro
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Negative Evaluation ◽  
Fear Of Negative Evaluation ◽  
English For Specific Purposes ◽  
Degree Programs ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
University Degree

This study aims at exploring the degree of Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) towards the learning of English that English for Specific Purposes students report experiencing. The participants in this study were 67 undergraduates at the University of the Balearic Islands enrolled in two university degree programs. The Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) (Horwitz et al., 1986) was used to collect data. The findings reveal that most students suffered from average to high anxiety levels. Communication apprehension was found to be the main source of participants’ FLA followed by fear of negative evaluation and test anxiety. The data also showed statistically significant differences across students’ university degree programs related to test anxiety and fear of negative evaluation. No statistically significant gender differences in FLA levels were observed. Finally, correlation analyses revealed significant negative associations between participants’ self-perceived English proficiency and their FLA levels associated with listening and speaking skills.

scholarly journals Turn-taking in EFL Classroom Discourse

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Longfei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Classroom Discourse ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Language Performance ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
Turn Taking ◽  
Efl Students

In this essay, there will be a contrast and comparison between the teacherdominant turn-taking patterns and students-centered turn-taking patterns. This comparison can help us to find out which pattern can help develop an effective turn-taking in classroom discourse. In terms of the turn-taking pattern in EFL classroom, there also will be a study of turn-taking patterns. This study is concentrated on the EFL students who study in foreign language classroom. Different turn-taking patterns will be recorded to analyze students’ language performance and language anxiety during the turns change process. Brown (2008) proposes that senior foreign language learners tend to be influenced by the low sense of confidence, the feel of shame and inferiority. However, evidence shows that many students with higher level of language proficiency also are silent in the foreign language classroom. They seldom take turns to make a contribution to the speech in the classroom. This essay shows great interests in the relationship between EFL learners’ language anxiety and turn-taking patterns. Particularly, this essay will explore the several turn-taking patterns which can help to foster the flow of classroom talk. These turn-taking patterns will be analyzed in two directions: the teacher-fronted turns exchange and students-centered exchange. This can help EFL teachers to adjust the turn-taking patterns to the classroom teaching to help students get more involvements in the classroom conversation.

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