English-Speaking Anxiety Among Second- and Fourth-Year Thai University English Majors
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Published
Dec 25, 2024
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Abstract
This comparative study surveyed English speaking anxiety among second- and fourth-year English majors at a northern Thai university, examining factors contributing to anxiety and potential differences between the two groups. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire addressing the effects of communication apprehension, fear of assessment, and fear of negative evaluation, along with an open-ended question about other issues contributing to English-speaking anxiety, was administered online to 31 second- and 34 fourth-year students. The results showed that students in both groups experienced moderate levels of anxiety in terms of comprehension apprehension and test anxiety. However, there was a notable difference in the levels of fear of negative evaluation. Specifically, second-year English majors exhibited a high level of fear of negative evaluation while fourth-year English majors experienced it at a moderate level. Despite this, statistical analyses revealed significant differences between the two groups in all three core factors: comprehension apprehension (t = -3.449, p < .05), test anxiety (t = 2.920, p < .05), and fear of negative evaluation (t = 10.711, p < .0001). Interestingly, although previous research suggests that more years of study generally reduce anxiety, this study found that this does not hold true across all factors. Additionally, analyses of anxiety levels across various scenarios revealed specific anxiety-inducing factors. Furthermore, the written responses predominantly highlighted grammar and vocabulary as areas of concern. These findings offer implications for pedagogical strategies and suggest avenues for future research.
Keywords: Anxiety, Speaking, English, Thai Students, University
References
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Akkakoson, S. (2016). Speaking Anxiety in English Conversation Classrooms Among Thai Students. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 13(1), 63-82.
Bhattarachaiyakorn, S., & Phettakua, S. (2023). English Speaking Anxiety Among Northeastern Thai University Students. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 16(1), 384-407. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/LEARN/article/view/263448
Chen, Y. (2018). Reducing Language Speaking Anxiety Among Adult EFL Learners with Interactive Holographic Learning Support System. In T.-T. Wu, Y.-M. Huang, R. Shadiev, L. Lin, & A. I. Starčič (Eds.), Innovative Technologies and Learning, First International Conference, ICITL 2018, Portoroz, Slovenia, August 27–30, 2018 (pp. 101-110). Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99737-7_10
Daymiel, R. J., Cantina, J. M., Alipoyo, V. R. I., Comecilla, M. O., Patay, A. S., & Recamara, J. T. (2022). Anxiety in Second Language in Relation to Students’ Speaking Performance. Sprin Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 1(8), 396-410. https://doi.org/10.55559/sjahss.v1i08.41
Heritage, M., & Montle, M. E. (2022). Examining the Influence of the First Language on Teaching and Learning English as a Second Language (L2): A Linguistic Interference Perspective. International Journal of Language and Literary Studies, 4(4), 289-299. http://doi.org/10.36892/ijlls.v4i4.1092
Horwitz, E. K. (2001). Language Anxiety and Achievement. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 21, 112-126. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0267190501000071
Huang, R. (2022). Coping Strategies of English Listening Anxiety in Senior High School Students. Frontiers in Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(9), 194-199.
Hwang, G.-J., & Fu, Q.-K. (2019). Trends in the Research Design and Application of Mobile Language Learning: A Review of 2007-2016 Publications in Selected SSCI Journals. Interactive Learning Environments, 27(4), 567-581. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2018.1486861
Illyin, I., Hanifah, G. N., & Yunianti, S. (2021). The Affective Factors Influencing Students’ Speaking Ability. In Proceeding of the 5th UAD TEFL International Conference (UTIC) (pp. 146-151). https://doi.org/10.12928/utic.v2.5749.2019
Inada, T. (2021). Teachers’ Strategies for Decreasing Students’ Anxiety Levels to Improve Their Communicative Skills. English Language Teaching, 14(3), 32-41. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v14n3p32
Jindathai, S. (2015). Factors Affecting English Speaking Problems Among Engineering Students at Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology. Journal of Business Administration and Languages (JBAL), 3(2), 26-30. Retrieved from https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNIJournalBA/article/view/164492
Kakepoto, T., Akhter, M. S., & Talpur, Q. (2022). Reflections on English Speaking Anxiety of Engineering Students: Pilot Project. Global Language Review, 7(2), 85-95. http://doi.org/10.31703/glr.2022(VII-II).08
Kiruthiga, E., & Christopher, G. (2022). The Impact of Affective Factors in English Speaking Skills. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 12(12), 2478-2485. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1212.02
Liu, M., & Jackson, J. (2008). An Exploration of Chinese EFL Learners’ Unwillingness to Communicate and Foreign Language Anxiety. The Modern Language Journal, 92(1), 71-86. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.2008.00687.x
MacIntyre, P. D. (2017). An Overview of Language Anxiety Research and Trends in Its Development. In C. Gkonou, M. Daubney, & J.-M. Dewaele (Eds.), New Insights into Language Anxiety: Theory, Research and Educational Implications (pp. 11-30). Bristol, Blue Ridge Summit: Multilingual Matters. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781783097722-003
Nuypukiaw, S. (2018). Factors Effecting English Language Learning Anxiety of First Year Students: A Case Study of Phranakorn Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University. Journal of Thonburi University, 12(28), 231-243. Retrieved from https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/trujournal/article/view/124148
Price, M. L. (1991). The Subjective Experience of Foreign Language Anxiety: Interview with Highly Anxious Students. In E. K. Horwitz, & D. J. Young (Eds.), Language Anxiety: From Theory and Research to Classroom Implications (pp. 101-108). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Pristiyaputri, A. E., Afiqoh, M., Jauhari, M. A., Afghani, M. J. A., & Kurniasih, K. (2023). The Differences of Speaking Anxiety Across Academic Levels and Gender. The Journal of English Literacy Education, 10(1), 63-80. https://doi.org/10.36706/jele.v10i1.20292
Rahman, A., & Tomy, P. (2023). Intelligent Personal Assistant-An Interlocutor to Mollify Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety. Interactive Learning Environments, 31, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2023.2204324
Russell, V. (2020). Language Anxiety and the Online Learner. Foreign Language Annals, 53(2), 338-352. https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12461
Savaskan, I. (2017). Does Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Mitigate Learner Autonomy Development? Psychology Research, 7(8), 436-444.
Sholikhi, F. (2022). Communication Students’ Anxiety in Speaking Skill Practice. ELT Forum: Journal of English Language Teaching, 11(1), 31-40. https://doi.org/10.15294/elt.v11i1.49533
Sugiyati, K., & Indriani, L. (2021). Exploring the Level and Primary Causes of Public Speaking Anxiety Among English Department Students. Journal of Research on Language Education, 2(1), 57-66.
Suleimenova, Z. (2013). Speaking Anxiety in a Foreign Language Classroom in Kazakhstan. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 93, 1860-1868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.131
Sunitisarn, R., Sa-Ngiamsak, P., Kochaphom, D., & Chayjarung, W. (2017). A Study of English Speaking and Listening Communication Problems of Third Years Students in Business English Class at Ratchathani University. In Abstract Book & Proceedings, RTUNC 2017, The 2nd National Conference, July 26-27, 2017 (pp. 855-865). Ubonratchathani, Thailand: Ratchathani University.
Tsang, A. (2022). The Relationships between EFL Learners’ Anxiety in Oral Presentations, Self-perceived Pronunciation, and Speaking Proficiency. Language Teaching Research, 26, 249801622. https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688221102522
Yasmin, T., Nadeem, M., Siddique, G. K., & Ali, M. S. Z. (2020). The Effect of Teachers’ Language Speaking Anxiety on Their Performance in English. Review of Education, Administration and Law, 3(2), 285-291. https://doi.org/10.47067/real.v3i2.63
Yuh, A. H., & Kaewurai, W. (2021). An Investigation of Thai Students’ English-speaking Problems and Needs and the Implementation Collaborative and Communicative Approaches to Enhance Students’ English-speaking skills. The Golden Teak: Humanity and Social Science Journal, 27(2), 91-107. Retrieved from https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tgt/article/view/252425
Akkakoson, S. (2016). Speaking Anxiety in English Conversation Classrooms Among Thai Students. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 13(1), 63-82.
Bhattarachaiyakorn, S., & Phettakua, S. (2023). English Speaking Anxiety Among Northeastern Thai University Students. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 16(1), 384-407. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/LEARN/article/view/263448
Chen, Y. (2018). Reducing Language Speaking Anxiety Among Adult EFL Learners with Interactive Holographic Learning Support System. In T.-T. Wu, Y.-M. Huang, R. Shadiev, L. Lin, & A. I. Starčič (Eds.), Innovative Technologies and Learning, First International Conference, ICITL 2018, Portoroz, Slovenia, August 27–30, 2018 (pp. 101-110). Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99737-7_10
Daymiel, R. J., Cantina, J. M., Alipoyo, V. R. I., Comecilla, M. O., Patay, A. S., & Recamara, J. T. (2022). Anxiety in Second Language in Relation to Students’ Speaking Performance. Sprin Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 1(8), 396-410. https://doi.org/10.55559/sjahss.v1i08.41
Heritage, M., & Montle, M. E. (2022). Examining the Influence of the First Language on Teaching and Learning English as a Second Language (L2): A Linguistic Interference Perspective. International Journal of Language and Literary Studies, 4(4), 289-299. http://doi.org/10.36892/ijlls.v4i4.1092
Horwitz, E. K. (2001). Language Anxiety and Achievement. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 21, 112-126. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0267190501000071
Huang, R. (2022). Coping Strategies of English Listening Anxiety in Senior High School Students. Frontiers in Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(9), 194-199.
Hwang, G.-J., & Fu, Q.-K. (2019). Trends in the Research Design and Application of Mobile Language Learning: A Review of 2007-2016 Publications in Selected SSCI Journals. Interactive Learning Environments, 27(4), 567-581. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2018.1486861
Illyin, I., Hanifah, G. N., & Yunianti, S. (2021). The Affective Factors Influencing Students’ Speaking Ability. In Proceeding of the 5th UAD TEFL International Conference (UTIC) (pp. 146-151). https://doi.org/10.12928/utic.v2.5749.2019
Inada, T. (2021). Teachers’ Strategies for Decreasing Students’ Anxiety Levels to Improve Their Communicative Skills. English Language Teaching, 14(3), 32-41. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v14n3p32
Jindathai, S. (2015). Factors Affecting English Speaking Problems Among Engineering Students at Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology. Journal of Business Administration and Languages (JBAL), 3(2), 26-30. Retrieved from https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNIJournalBA/article/view/164492
Kakepoto, T., Akhter, M. S., & Talpur, Q. (2022). Reflections on English Speaking Anxiety of Engineering Students: Pilot Project. Global Language Review, 7(2), 85-95. http://doi.org/10.31703/glr.2022(VII-II).08
Kiruthiga, E., & Christopher, G. (2022). The Impact of Affective Factors in English Speaking Skills. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 12(12), 2478-2485. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1212.02
Liu, M., & Jackson, J. (2008). An Exploration of Chinese EFL Learners’ Unwillingness to Communicate and Foreign Language Anxiety. The Modern Language Journal, 92(1), 71-86. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.2008.00687.x
MacIntyre, P. D. (2017). An Overview of Language Anxiety Research and Trends in Its Development. In C. Gkonou, M. Daubney, & J.-M. Dewaele (Eds.), New Insights into Language Anxiety: Theory, Research and Educational Implications (pp. 11-30). Bristol, Blue Ridge Summit: Multilingual Matters. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781783097722-003
Nuypukiaw, S. (2018). Factors Effecting English Language Learning Anxiety of First Year Students: A Case Study of Phranakorn Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University. Journal of Thonburi University, 12(28), 231-243. Retrieved from https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/trujournal/article/view/124148
Price, M. L. (1991). The Subjective Experience of Foreign Language Anxiety: Interview with Highly Anxious Students. In E. K. Horwitz, & D. J. Young (Eds.), Language Anxiety: From Theory and Research to Classroom Implications (pp. 101-108). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Pristiyaputri, A. E., Afiqoh, M., Jauhari, M. A., Afghani, M. J. A., & Kurniasih, K. (2023). The Differences of Speaking Anxiety Across Academic Levels and Gender. The Journal of English Literacy Education, 10(1), 63-80. https://doi.org/10.36706/jele.v10i1.20292
Rahman, A., & Tomy, P. (2023). Intelligent Personal Assistant-An Interlocutor to Mollify Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety. Interactive Learning Environments, 31, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2023.2204324
Russell, V. (2020). Language Anxiety and the Online Learner. Foreign Language Annals, 53(2), 338-352. https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12461
Savaskan, I. (2017). Does Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Mitigate Learner Autonomy Development? Psychology Research, 7(8), 436-444.
Sholikhi, F. (2022). Communication Students’ Anxiety in Speaking Skill Practice. ELT Forum: Journal of English Language Teaching, 11(1), 31-40. https://doi.org/10.15294/elt.v11i1.49533
Sugiyati, K., & Indriani, L. (2021). Exploring the Level and Primary Causes of Public Speaking Anxiety Among English Department Students. Journal of Research on Language Education, 2(1), 57-66.
Suleimenova, Z. (2013). Speaking Anxiety in a Foreign Language Classroom in Kazakhstan. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 93, 1860-1868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.131
Sunitisarn, R., Sa-Ngiamsak, P., Kochaphom, D., & Chayjarung, W. (2017). A Study of English Speaking and Listening Communication Problems of Third Years Students in Business English Class at Ratchathani University. In Abstract Book & Proceedings, RTUNC 2017, The 2nd National Conference, July 26-27, 2017 (pp. 855-865). Ubonratchathani, Thailand: Ratchathani University.
Tsang, A. (2022). The Relationships between EFL Learners’ Anxiety in Oral Presentations, Self-perceived Pronunciation, and Speaking Proficiency. Language Teaching Research, 26, 249801622. https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688221102522
Yasmin, T., Nadeem, M., Siddique, G. K., & Ali, M. S. Z. (2020). The Effect of Teachers’ Language Speaking Anxiety on Their Performance in English. Review of Education, Administration and Law, 3(2), 285-291. https://doi.org/10.47067/real.v3i2.63
Yuh, A. H., & Kaewurai, W. (2021). An Investigation of Thai Students’ English-speaking Problems and Needs and the Implementation Collaborative and Communicative Approaches to Enhance Students’ English-speaking skills. The Golden Teak: Humanity and Social Science Journal, 27(2), 91-107. Retrieved from https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tgt/article/view/252425
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Research Articles
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How to Cite
CEDAR, Payung; JAIYOTE, Suwimol.
English-Speaking Anxiety Among Second- and Fourth-Year Thai University English Majors.
Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences), [S.l.], v. 17, n. 4, p. 78-94, dec. 2024.
ISSN 2985-0231.
Available at: <https://www.journal.nu.ac.th/JCDR/article/view/Vol-17-No-4-2024-78-94>. Date accessed: 30 apr. 2025.
doi: https://doi.org/10.14456/jcdr-hs.2024.28.