The Hindrance of Doubt: Causes of Language Anxiety

Abstract

Language anxiety is independent of other general types of anxiety manifestations. This paper examines the possible causes of language anxiety in that a wider range of insights can be gained for effective foreign language teaching. A close review of the literature enables us to categorize language anxiety as learner-induced, classroom-related, skill-specific, and some culture-imposed, depending on different contexts. The potential sources provide us with an insightful view in the understanding of the difficulties students may have encountered in their process of language learning.

Foreign language anxiety of students studying English Language and Literature: A Sample from Turkey

“…Since foreign language learners are exposed to the expert language of native speakers from tapes, videos and instructors (Kitano, 2001), they "set their standards as high as the level of native speakers", which causes anxiety because of failing to achieve the high standards (Zhang and Zhong, 2012). In addition, high expectations that learners are required to communicate and speak in public cause anxiety.…”

“…The main cause of anxiety stems from "learners' unrealistic or erroneous beliefs about language learning" (Zhang and Zhong, 2012). While some learners think they lack the aptitude or gift to learn a new language (Price, 1991), some believe that two years or less is sufficient for them to become proficient in another language (Horwitz, 1988) without estimating the difficulty of the language learning task, and therefore, they could possibly experience conflict resulted in anxiety.…”

“…Classroom-related anxiety is associated with instructors, peers and classroom practices (Zhang and Zhong, 2012). Instructors who believe their role is to correct students constantly, who feel that they cannot have students working in pairs because the class may get out of control may be contributing to learner language anxiety (Young, 1991).…”

“…However, Horwitz (2001) claimed that foreign language anxiety is independent of first language learning disabilities and should be viewed as an important factor that hinders language learning in and of itself. Zhang and Zhong (2012) has categorized causes of foreign language learning anxiety as being "learnerinduced, classroom-related, skill-specific, and some society-imposed depending on different contexts".…”

Exploring the Factors of Foreign Language Anxiety Among Chinese Undergraduate English Majors and Non-English Majors

“…Language learners are always fascinated by the language style and level that native speakers have and it consequently results in language anxiety since they failed to fulfil the selective necessities (Zhang & Zhong, 2012). Students make language principles in which they have many beliefs and expectations but they fail to learn like natives and this results in language anxiety.…”