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Tense moments in foreign language classrooms: Do you know what factors can increase anxiety?
Anxiety is a major challenge faced by many learners in the process of learning a foreign language. Foreign language anxiety, also known as "xenoglosophobia", is the uneasiness and anxiety caused by learning or using a second language. From communication skills to testing, this anxiety can arise almost anywhere and at any time. This is especially true in foreign language classrooms, where most students are exposed to a new language for the first time, and fear of speaking and communicating can directly affect their performance.
The root causes of foreign language anxiety often include communication anxiety, test anxiety, and fear of negative evaluation.
The roots of anxiety
While all aspects of learning and using a foreign language can cause anxiety, listening and speaking are often cited as the most anxiety-provoking activities. Communication anxiety refers to the anxiety felt when communicating with others, especially in non-native language situations. Test anxiety, on the other hand, is a type of performance anxiety that is often associated with learners’ fears of performing poorly on a test. The fear of negative evaluation is that learners are worried about the negative perception of their language ability by the understanders.
Studies have shown that foreign language anxiety can have a significant impact on academic performance, and anxiety can significantly reduce students' self-confidence, self-esteem and sense of participation.
The impact of foreign language anxiety
The effects of foreign language anxiety are evident, especially in foreign language classrooms. Anxious students' performance and emotional responses in random speaking activities are affected. They may forget what they have learned more easily when interacting with others, consciously avoid participating in class activities, or choose to miss classes. This situation is not limited to the classroom, but anxiety can also extend to daily communication, making individuals more reluctant to communicate with others.
How to overcome foreign language anxiety
While foreign language anxiety may seem difficult to overcome, both students and teachers can take steps to reduce feelings of anxiety. First, students should learn to identify the anxiety they feel during the learning process and communicate effectively with teachers. For example, joining a language study group, journal writing, and positive self-encouragement are all good options. Additionally, teachers play an important role in creating a relaxed, supportive classroom environment and using positive reinforcement to reduce anxiety.
Providing extra support beyond tutoring and group discussions can help students understand their own anxieties and recognize that their peers may feel similarly.
Future Directions
In foreign language classrooms, factors such as social distance and cultural differences may also exacerbate foreign language anxiety. How to effectively integrate these theories and practices to improve student achievement remains a challenging task. In addition, understanding the relationship between language and identity is also a focus of future research.
Anxiety often accompanies opportunities and challenges in learning a foreign language, so how can we better support students who experience anxiety during their learning process?
