Beliefs About Language Learning, Role of Gender and Students’ Achievement in Relation to Second Language Anxiety

Abstract

The study has given a myriad of insights and a deeper understanding of the issue of second language anxiety, especially in Malaysia. This study encompassed several aspects of second language learning. This study focused on the relationship between second language anxiety and beliefs about language learning. Besides that, the role of gender in second language anxiety has also been one of the main focuses of the study. On top of that, this study also emphasized the effect of second language anxiety on second language achievement. To achieve the purpose, a study was conducted quantitatively among 334 respondents from a local public institution, which is a polytechnic in Negeri Sembilan. The respondents of the study were from Commerce Department which is the largest department in the institution. The respondents were the students from the third semester in the second year. This study used the modified version of the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) and Beliefs About Language Learning Inventory (BALLI). From the study, it is found that the second language anxiety of the students is moderately related to their beliefs about language learning. Besides, the second language achievement is negatively correlated with the second language anxiety, thus explains the low performance while experiencing high level of anxiety. This study also reveals that there is no significant difference found between male and female students in second language anxiety. It is anticipated for researchers to continue and expand the field of study in order to continue contributing to the body of knowledge on second language anxiety.
 
 KEYWORDS: Achievement, Beliefs, Gender influence, Second language anxiety

Causes of Language Anxiety in an ESL Classroom: Towards a Mentally Healthier Learning Environment

“…However, the result suggests that the weaker students are more anxious about being judged by others, especially in oral tests and role plays. Another study done on a group of polytechnic students in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia finds that learners' anxiety is moderately linked to their beliefs about language learning (William Tandang & Mohd Arif, 2019).…”