Language Anxiety and its Influence on EFL Students’ Oral Performance

Abstract

The present study is focused on the influence of foreign language anxiety on EFL student’s oral performance; for this purpose, the population sample was composed by thirty students of teens and youth levels from an English language institute in the city of Loja. In order to gather data, one questionnaire for students was applied; moreover, additional information was obtained through class observations and interviews. The data obtained from the students’ survey was represented and described using the quantitative method. Moreover, it was analyzed qualitatively making a comparison with the results of the observations, interviews, and the most essential literature that was previously investigated. The results of the study showed that language anxiety affects the majority of students, making them incapable to participate in oral activities during class and becoming less competent speakers than the rest of students. Furthermore, this inability to participate in oral activities cause students to have low grades in class in comparison to their classmates who do not suffer this problem. However, the results also show that students’ motivation is not likely to be affected by foreign language anxiety; and that instructional’ factors like class activities help students to reduce anxiety in class.