Exploring the Relationship Between Variables in Fear of ‎Learning a Foreign Language

Abstract

Learning a foreign language is undoubtedly a challenging task for many people and is often accompanied by strong emotions. A predominant emotion is fear, which is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is rooted in various psychological, social, and cognitive factors. This study explores students' perspectives regarding their anxiety in learning a foreign language and addresses key inquiries such as the impact of communication apprehension, fear of negative evaluation, and test anxiety on language learning. Additionally, the research investigates the interconnections between various factors that contribute to the fear of acquiring a foreign language, with focus on Arabic language acquisition. The purpose of this study was to explore the motivation factors for learning among undergraduates at a Malaysian public university. A set of questionnaires was distributed to 260 students from various faculties at a public university in Malaysia who study Arabic as a third language. The questionnaire was systematically designed as a quantitative survey. The instrument used was a 5-point Likert-scale survey rooted in Horwitz et al.'s work (1986) to identify the variables. The survey consisted of four sections: Section A contained items on demographic profile, Section B included 11 items on motivation, and Section C comprised 33 items on fear of learning a foreign language. The findings of the study show that communication apprehension, fear of negative evaluation, and test anxiety that intersect in foreign language learning has complex emotional links. It is important to tackle these issues as conquering communication apprehension and fear of negative evaluation can increase motivation. Simultaneously, reducing test anxiety can enhance confidence and foster a more supportive environment for learning a new language. These findings emphasise the significance of addressing learners' emotional well-being to enhance their language learning journey.