A Study on Listening Comprehension Anxiety in Chinese Junior Middle School Students Based on the Pearson Correlation Analysis

Abstract

Listening comprehension is a process that provides important source of input for second language learners. As a psychological factor, anxiety is pervasive in language learning, especially in the process of listening comprehension. This paper aimed to investigate the correlation between listening comprehension anxiety and listening performance of junior middle school students. 123 students were recruited from a middle school in China. The Pearson correlation analysis was conducted and the results indicated that the investigated Chinese junior middle school students did experience a moderate level of listening comprehension anxiety. A principal components analysis was conducted to investigate the sources of students’ listening comprehension anxiety, showing that it was caused by the characteristics of listening materials, the lack of confidence and the tension that students experienced when monitoring and evaluating their listening process.