Title Language Learning Anxiety: A Factor in Foreign Language Learning
Author Ivona Ević
Mentor Marija Andraka (mentor)
Committee member Marija Andraka (član povjerenstva)
Committee member Ivana Cindrić (član povjerenstva)
Committee member Milka Bilić Štefan (član povjerenstva)
Granter University of Zagreb Faculty of Teacher Education Zagreb
Defense date and country 2018-07-04, Croatia
Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline HUMANISTIC SCIENCES Philology General Linguistics
Abstract In this thesis, readers will get acquainted with the phenomenon of language learning anxiety. As the title itself says, the common foundation lies in one of the primary emotions that every person feels: fear. It is a complex and acquired emotional reaction. The thesis consists of two parts: the theoretical part and research. The first part of the thesis discusses the very basis of this phenomenon ˗˗ language and its structures. It is necessary to understand all levels of language (phonological, morphological and syntactic) beforehand and its complexity in order to detect and solve the problem. The leading role of the brain in language learning is also studied, along with its main task: understanding. Many studies have come to the conclusion that the cause of language learning anxiety in younger students lies not only in language, but is in fact a combination of external and internal factors (motivation, personal characteristics of a student, positive self-image, etc.), and certain language features. The text also refers to the students’ social background, their socio-economic status, to be exact, their environment, curriculum, and peer competence, etc., all elements which give us insight into the extent to which these factors affect language learning anxiety. The second part of the thesis presents the results of the research surveys. The participants were primary school students of ages from 9 to 15, and the questions were taken from the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (Horwitz et al., 1991). The objective was to determine how much age affects this phenomenon and what the greatest source of language learning anxiety is. This thesis also includes the author’s personal tutoring and teaching experiences and students’ statements. This research has been carried out on a smaller sample of students; indubitably, there is still much to be done on a larger scale in order to obtain better understanding of this phenomenon.
Abstract (croatian) U ovom diplomskom radu, prikazuje se fenomen straha od učenja stranog jezika. Kao što sam naziv govori, zajednički temelj nalazi se u jednoj od primarnih emocija koju svaki čovjek osjeća, a to je strah. Dakle, riječ je o složenoj i naučenoj emocionalnoj reakciji. Rad se sastoji iz dva dijela– teorijskog i istraživačkog. U prvom dijelu rada govori se o samoj osnovi ovog fenomena– jeziku te njegovim strukturama. Potrebno je dakle, najprije razumijeti sve razine jezika(fonološku, morfološku i sintaktičku) pa i njegove složenosti da bi se detektirao i riješio problem. Također se promatra i glavna uloga mozga u učenju jezika, a to je razumijevanje. Mnoga su istraživanja došla do zaključka da uzrok anksioznosti od jezika kod učenika ranije dobi ne leži samo u jeziku, već je riječ o kombinaciji vanjskih i unutarnjih čimbenika (motivacije, osobnih karakteristika učenika, pozitivne slike o sebi itd) i nekih jezičnih specifičnosti. Rad se također osvrće na socijalnu pozadinu učenika, točnije njegov socijalno-ekonomski status, okruženje, kurikul te kompetitivnost među vršnjacima itd., što nam daje uvid u to koliko spomenuti čimbenici također utječu na strah od stranog jezika. Drugi dio rada prikaz je rezultata istraživanja provedenog upitnikom. Sudionici su bili učenici osnovne škole, starosti od 9-15 godina, a pitanja su preuzeta iz Skale za mjerenje straha od nastave stranog jezika(FLCAS)(Horwitz et al., 1991). Cilj je bio utvrditi koliko dob utječe na ovu pojavu te što je najveći izvor straha od stranog jezika na nastavi. U radu su korištena i osobna iskustva autorice s učenicima stečena na praksi za vrijeme studiranja te njihove izjave. Ovo istraživanje je provedeno na manjem uzorku učenika te je naravno potrebno više ovakvih na široj i većoj razini kako bismo stekli šire i veće spoznaje o ovom fenomenu.
Keywords
second/foreign language learning
language learning anxiety
younger students
Keywords (croatian)
učenje drugog/stranog jezika
strah od stranog jezika
učenici ranije dobi
Language english
URN:NBN urn:nbn:hr:147:222387
Study programme Title: Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate University Programme of Study of Primary Teacher Education and Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate University Programme of Study for Primary Teacher Education with English and German Language Study programme type: university Study level: integrated undergraduate and graduate Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra primarnog obrazovanja (magistar/magistra primarnog obrazovanja)
Type of resource Text
File origin Born digital
Access conditions Access restricted to students and staff of home institution
Terms of use
Created on 2019-04-24 08:46:05