The Study of Factors Affecting English Language Learning Anxiety

A Case Study of Master’s Degree Program Students in English Language Teaching

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the extent of foreign language learning anxiety experienced by the first and second-year graduate students majoring in English Language Teaching at Ramkhamhaeng University, and the factors affecting their English language learning. The respondents were 39 students enrolled in the academic years 2021 and 2022. The research instrument was a questionnaire with open-ended questions. The results revealed that the respondents had high anxiety when they learned the English language with the mean scores of 3.55 out of 5.0. Communication apprehension and fear of negative evaluation were two dimensions reported to have high levels of anxiety with the mean scores of 4.25 and 4.11 respectively. Lastly, test anxiety was at a moderate level with the mean score of 2.78. The respondents were most panicked when they were asked to speak without preparation in a language class with a mean of 4.35. Followed by anxiety related to being corrected by the teacher with the mean scores of 4.20. Moreover, the respondents were worried about the consequences of failing foreign language classes with the mean scores of 4.15.