Language learning anxiety in a group of psychology students at Universidad del Norte

Abstract

This article shows the results of a research on anxiety caused by language learning. It focuses on language learning anxiety related to speaking skill. This study intended to find out the external factors that produce anxiety in the development of the oral competence in a group of psychology students. In order to attain the objectives of this study, the instruments used were diaries, questionnaires, recordings (personal opinions, short oral presentations) and interviews. With regard to external factors that produce anxiety in relation to activities, results show that all kind of oral activities produce a high degree of anxiety in students, especially non prepared oral tasks. They also show a lack of participation in class with a strong rejection to oral learning tasks. Among the possible causes of this reticence, it is the fact that they do not want to be mocked in class. Also, Speaking skill was not encouraged in the first levels in the prior approach. It is vital to mention that students are aware of their lack of some aspects of the language, such as, vocabulary, grammar and fluency.