Exploring the predictors of foreign language anxiety: the roles of language proficiency, language exposure, and cognitive control

This research delves into unexplored territories of Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA), going beyond the traditional focus on language proficiency. We examined the nuanced roles of language exposure and individual differences in cognitive control abilities in shaping FLA. By engaging 46 English learners...

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Main Authors: Yan Xu, Zhilong Xie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1492701/full
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author Yan Xu
Zhilong Xie
author_facet Yan Xu
Zhilong Xie
author_sort Yan Xu
collection DOAJ
description This research delves into unexplored territories of Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA), going beyond the traditional focus on language proficiency. We examined the nuanced roles of language exposure and individual differences in cognitive control abilities in shaping FLA. By engaging 46 English learners in a comprehensive assessment, our analysis uncovered significant yet distinct contributions of these factors to various aspects of FLA. Notably, proficiency predicted communication and overall anxiety, exposure influenced evaluation anxiety, while inhibition and mental set shifting abilities significantly predicted communication and test anxiety respectively. These findings illuminate the complexity of FLA, revealing that it stems from a multifaceted interplay of language proficiency, exposure, and cognitive control. This holistic understanding offers valuable insights for educators and learners alike, emphasizing the importance of tailored strategies that address not just language proficiency but also exposure opportunities and cognitive strengths.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Psychiatry
spelling doaj-art-4074d4e2a5564b499a56c47f7f5aa5762025-08-20T02:07:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402024-11-011510.3389/fpsyt.2024.14927011492701Exploring the predictors of foreign language anxiety: the roles of language proficiency, language exposure, and cognitive controlYan Xu0Zhilong Xie1Foreign Languages School, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an, Jiangxi, ChinaForeign Languages College, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaThis research delves into unexplored territories of Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA), going beyond the traditional focus on language proficiency. We examined the nuanced roles of language exposure and individual differences in cognitive control abilities in shaping FLA. By engaging 46 English learners in a comprehensive assessment, our analysis uncovered significant yet distinct contributions of these factors to various aspects of FLA. Notably, proficiency predicted communication and overall anxiety, exposure influenced evaluation anxiety, while inhibition and mental set shifting abilities significantly predicted communication and test anxiety respectively. These findings illuminate the complexity of FLA, revealing that it stems from a multifaceted interplay of language proficiency, exposure, and cognitive control. This holistic understanding offers valuable insights for educators and learners alike, emphasizing the importance of tailored strategies that address not just language proficiency but also exposure opportunities and cognitive strengths.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1492701/fullL2 proficiencyL2 exposurecognitive controlFLAEnglish learners
spellingShingle Yan Xu
Zhilong Xie
Exploring the predictors of foreign language anxiety: the roles of language proficiency, language exposure, and cognitive control
Frontiers in Psychiatry
L2 proficiency
L2 exposure
cognitive control
FLA
English learners
title Exploring the predictors of foreign language anxiety: the roles of language proficiency, language exposure, and cognitive control
title_full Exploring the predictors of foreign language anxiety: the roles of language proficiency, language exposure, and cognitive control
title_fullStr Exploring the predictors of foreign language anxiety: the roles of language proficiency, language exposure, and cognitive control
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the predictors of foreign language anxiety: the roles of language proficiency, language exposure, and cognitive control
title_short Exploring the predictors of foreign language anxiety: the roles of language proficiency, language exposure, and cognitive control
title_sort exploring the predictors of foreign language anxiety the roles of language proficiency language exposure and cognitive control
topic L2 proficiency
L2 exposure
cognitive control
FLA
English learners
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1492701/full
work_keys_str_mv AT yanxu exploringthepredictorsofforeignlanguageanxietytherolesoflanguageproficiencylanguageexposureandcognitivecontrol
AT zhilongxie exploringthepredictorsofforeignlanguageanxietytherolesoflanguageproficiencylanguageexposureandcognitivecontrol