ERIC Number: EJ930899
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Jun
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0346-251X
EISSN: N/A
An Exploration of Speaking-in-Class Anxiety with Chinese ESL Learners
Mak, Barley
System: An International Journal of Educational Technology and Applied Linguistics, v39 n2 p202-214 Jun 2011
This article reports the findings of a study investigating factors contributing to the speaking-in-class anxiety of a group of 313 Chinese ESL first-year university students in Hong Kong. Results using the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) of Horwitz et al. reveal five factors leading to the group's speaking-in-class anxiety. The five factors, identified by factor analysis, include: speech anxiety and fear of negative evaluation; uncomfortableness when speaking with native speakers; negative attitudes towards the English classroom; negative self-evaluation; and fear of failing the class/consequences of personal failure. In addition, survey results show that speaking in front of the class without preparation, being corrected when speaking, inadequate wait-time and not being allowed to use the first language in a second language class were also identified by the respondents as important factors leading to speaking-in-class anxiety. The article concludes with pedagogic implications, for second/foreign language teachers when attempting to create a low-anxiety classroom. (Contains 5 tables.)
Descriptors: Speech Communication, Negative Attitudes, Factor Analysis, Foreign Countries, Native Speakers, Fear, English (Second Language), Anxiety, Second Language Learning, Classroom Communication, Stress Variables, Fear of Success, Self Efficacy, Barriers, College Freshmen
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Hong Kong
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A