Speaking Anxiety: What Passive Learners can Learn from Active Learners

Abstract

Speaking anxiety is a problem that is commonly found in foreign language learning and it could give negative impact for its goal in mastering foreign language (Tanveer, 2007). This study concerned to analyze active learners’ strategies in conquering speaking anxiety in foreign language learning, thus passive learners could observe and apply those strategies in learning the foreign language. Data collection involved four time observations in order to find active and passive learners. Then, six active and six passive vocational high school learners in Salatiga who had experienced being anxious in speaking English was interviewed. The findings indicated that active learners and passive learners had different common reasons and strategies concerning speaking anxiety in foreign language learning. The conclusion pointed out that active learners’ result could help passive learners with their efficient strategies which passive learners did not have; such as having good attitude towards English, avoiding direct eye contact with interlocutors, doing relaxation before and while speaking, daring to take a risk if having chances, and thinking in a positive way no matter what the situation is. Those strategies used by active learners may help passive learners for not only reducing their anxiety but also helping them to participate actively in the class.