Foreign language anxiety in online learning environments: Strategies and implications

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated some anxiety among students, particularly in the realm of higher education where remote learning has become the norm. Despite the escalating prevalence of anxiety among students in the context of online language education, there is a notable absence of comprehensive...

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Main Authors: Narges Saffari, Mansour Amini, Sze Seau Lee, Maryam Alipour, Bita Naghmeh Abbaspour
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris 2024-04-01
Series:Journal of Research, Policy & Practice of Teachers & Teacher Education
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Online Access:https://ejournal.upsi.edu.my/index.php/JRPPTTE/article/view/7953
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author Narges Saffari
Mansour Amini
Sze Seau Lee
Maryam Alipour
Bita Naghmeh Abbaspour
author_facet Narges Saffari
Mansour Amini
Sze Seau Lee
Maryam Alipour
Bita Naghmeh Abbaspour
author_sort Narges Saffari
collection DOAJ
description The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated some anxiety among students, particularly in the realm of higher education where remote learning has become the norm. Despite the escalating prevalence of anxiety among students in the context of online language education, there is a notable absence of comprehensive strategies tailored to effectively mitigate foreign language anxiety (FLA) and support learners, necessitating research to identify evidence-based approaches to address FLA and foster a positive learning environment. This paper reviews the influence of anxiety on language learners, with a focus on the challenges posed by online language education. It explores the multifaceted nature of FLA and its implications for language learning outcomes. The study proposes practical strategies to alleviate anxiety among language learners. These strategies include implementing cooperative learning activities, providing constructive feedback, creating a positive learning atmosphere, addressing individual student needs, giving clear instructions, and establishing a continuous support system. Insights from contemporary research highlight the effectiveness of these approaches in reducing anxiety and fostering a more positive and effective learning environment. Furthermore, the paper discusses the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) as a valuable tool for identifying and measuring FLA in online language learning settings. It emphasizes the importance of the psychometric characteristics of FLCAS and its implications for language educators. Finally, by raising awareness of the impact of anxiety on language learning outcomes, and embracing a holistic approach that considers individual, socio-cultural, economic, and technological factors, this paper may provide valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers.
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spelling doaj-art-2a01ac0045a4471d8dd24bbb25156b822025-08-20T03:22:57ZengUniversiti Pendidikan Sultan IdrisJournal of Research, Policy & Practice of Teachers & Teacher Education2232-04582550-17712024-04-011417283https://doi.org/10.37134/jrpptte.vol14.1.9.2024Foreign language anxiety in online learning environments: Strategies and implicationsNarges Saffari0Mansour Amini1Sze Seau Lee2Maryam Alipour3Bita Naghmeh Abbaspour4Nyenrode Business University, NetherlandsSchool of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, MalaysiaFaculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Malaysia, MalaysiaFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, MalaysiaSchool of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, MalaysiaThe COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated some anxiety among students, particularly in the realm of higher education where remote learning has become the norm. Despite the escalating prevalence of anxiety among students in the context of online language education, there is a notable absence of comprehensive strategies tailored to effectively mitigate foreign language anxiety (FLA) and support learners, necessitating research to identify evidence-based approaches to address FLA and foster a positive learning environment. This paper reviews the influence of anxiety on language learners, with a focus on the challenges posed by online language education. It explores the multifaceted nature of FLA and its implications for language learning outcomes. The study proposes practical strategies to alleviate anxiety among language learners. These strategies include implementing cooperative learning activities, providing constructive feedback, creating a positive learning atmosphere, addressing individual student needs, giving clear instructions, and establishing a continuous support system. Insights from contemporary research highlight the effectiveness of these approaches in reducing anxiety and fostering a more positive and effective learning environment. Furthermore, the paper discusses the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) as a valuable tool for identifying and measuring FLA in online language learning settings. It emphasizes the importance of the psychometric characteristics of FLCAS and its implications for language educators. Finally, by raising awareness of the impact of anxiety on language learning outcomes, and embracing a holistic approach that considers individual, socio-cultural, economic, and technological factors, this paper may provide valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers.https://ejournal.upsi.edu.my/index.php/JRPPTTE/article/view/7953anxietyenglishflalearningonlineteaching
spellingShingle Narges Saffari
Mansour Amini
Sze Seau Lee
Maryam Alipour
Bita Naghmeh Abbaspour
Foreign language anxiety in online learning environments: Strategies and implications
Journal of Research, Policy & Practice of Teachers & Teacher Education
anxiety
english
fla
learning
online
teaching
title Foreign language anxiety in online learning environments: Strategies and implications
title_full Foreign language anxiety in online learning environments: Strategies and implications
title_fullStr Foreign language anxiety in online learning environments: Strategies and implications
title_full_unstemmed Foreign language anxiety in online learning environments: Strategies and implications
title_short Foreign language anxiety in online learning environments: Strategies and implications
title_sort foreign language anxiety in online learning environments strategies and implications
topic anxiety
english
fla
learning
online
teaching
url https://ejournal.upsi.edu.my/index.php/JRPPTTE/article/view/7953
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AT mansouramini foreignlanguageanxietyinonlinelearningenvironmentsstrategiesandimplications
AT szeseaulee foreignlanguageanxietyinonlinelearningenvironmentsstrategiesandimplications
AT maryamalipour foreignlanguageanxietyinonlinelearningenvironmentsstrategiesandimplications
AT bitanaghmehabbaspour foreignlanguageanxietyinonlinelearningenvironmentsstrategiesandimplications