The Relationship between Foreign Language Anxiety and Learning Difficulties

• Published in: Foreign language annals 2004-05, Vol.37 (2), p.279-289
• Main Authors: Chen, Tsai-Yu, Chang, Goretti B. Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety; College Students; Correlation; Elementary school students; English (Second Language); English as a second language learning; English language; Foreign Countries; Foreign language learning; Higher Education; Language Aptitude; Language history; Language Skills; Learning; Learning disabilities; Learning Problems; Learning Processes; Multiple Regression Analysis; Research Methodology; Second Language Learning; Statistical analysis; Student Characteristics
• ISSN: 0015-718X; 1944-9720
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1944-9720.2004.tb02200.x

: This study investigated the possible existence of causal links between anxiety and language learning difficulties by using the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) (Horwitz, Horwitz, & Cope, 1986) to examine anxiety and the Foreign Language Screening Instrument for Colleges (FLSI‐C) (Ganschow & Sparks, 1991) to explore learning difficulty variables. Factor analysis, correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression analysis of data provided by 1,187 college students learning English as a foreign language (EFL) in Taiwan indicate that English learning difficulties account for 36.80% of variance in anxiety. The results show that some anxious students have a history of English learning problems, obtain low grades, suffer difficulties with classroom learning, and exhibit poor developmental skills. The findings are used to discuss both theoretical and practical implications for foreign language anxiety.