‘How anxious I am’: The effect of different online modalities on Chinese language beginners’ classroom anxiety

Hui HUANG, Scott GRANT, Jing YAN

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlespeer-review

Abstract

Foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA) is ‘a distinct complex set of self-perceptions, beliefs, feelings and behaviours related to classroom language learning arising from the uniqueness of the language learning process’ (Horwitz, Horwitz and Cope 1986: 128) [Foreign language classroom anxiety. The Modern Language Journal 70, no. 2: 125–32] which potentially has a negative impact on achievement and engagement in language learning. The purpose of the investigation reported here was to examine how two online modalities–Zoom video conferencing and the virtual world, Second Life–affected FLCA among Chinese language beginners performing tasks using the different modes. Through statistical and thematical analyses of survey data along with open-ended questions from 55 participants, it was found that the relationship between FLCA levels experienced by learners on these modalities was influenced by various factors such as gender differences, task-related language skills, and self-perceived language proficiency. The study also suggests that FLCA is dependent on the learners’ immediate learning experience, particularly in relation to their level of engagement and task awareness. Despite the small sample size, the study sheds light on the advantages and limitations of each modality in terms of its effect on students’ FLCA and performance in task-based language teaching. Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Original languageEnglish
JournalThe Language Learning Journal
Early online dateJun 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - Jun 2024

Citation

Huang, H., Grant, S., & Yan, J. (2024). ‘How anxious I am’: The effect of different online modalities on Chinese language beginners’ classroom anxiety. The Language Learning Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2024.2365375

Keywords

  • Foreign language classroom anxiety
  • Chinese language beginners
  • Zoom
  • Second Life

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