Foreign Language Anxiety in Transactional Speaking Class

Abstract

Foreign Language Anxiety in Transactional Speaking Class This study aimed to find kinds of anxiety experienced by EFL (English as Foreign Language) learners in Transactional Speaking class. Several researches (Horwitz et al. (1986); Dörnyei (2001); and Littlewood (1998)) propose that anxiety can impede the students’ learning processes. Therefore, it is important find kinds of anxiety which the participants are experiencing. This study examined 56 first year students of English Literature Program of Faculty of Language and Literature in Satya Wacana Christian University who are taking Transactional Speaking class. A 16-item questionnaire adapted from Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale and semi-structured interview were used as data collection instruments. The data shows that the participants experienced the three kinds of anxiety, Test Anxiety, Communication Apprehension, and Fear of Negative Evaluation. The three kinds of anxiety used in this study are based on Horwitz, Horwitz, & Cope (1986). The discussion shows that their anxiety could be affected by many reasons. It is hoped that by considering various kinds of anxiety and its reasons, teachers can get a better insight in motivating their students who are anxious.