A descriptive study about language anxiety while learning English as a second language

Abstract

Learning a second language has implications that go beyond cognitive processes. External factors such as the individual’s economic situation, and other intrinsic factors such as motivation, can influence the second language acquisition. With this study we seek to analyze the role anxiety can have in order to learn English as a foreign language. This work is based on a descriptive analysis which was applied to 1773 undergraduate students from a University of Guadalajara campus, and with this study we look forward obtaining information about the role of anxiety in learning English; in addition to identifying whether there are any differences in anxiety levels according to the major students are going to graduate from. It is intended to contribute to the knowledge related to the study of a second language, to determine what factors influence the development of language anxiety, and how it could be possible to work aiming to reduce it while ensuring that the students can learn a second language in a more effective and meaningful way.