On the Causes and Countermeasures of Chinese Learners’ English Reading Anxiety

Abstract

Based on Humanistic Psychology and Krashen’s Affective Filtering Hypothesis, this study explores the effects on English reading anxiety among Chinese students, and corresponding countermeasures are put forward to it. English reading anxiety, one of the emotional factors that have a great effect on foreign language learning, mainly refers to the feeling of not being able to achieve desired goal or overcome a mental obstacle. The results indicate that Chinese English learners suffer English reading anxiety in text comprehension, and the psychological, cultural and text factors are the main causes leading to it. Based upon the findings, its advisable to lower the learners’ affective filter and promote their self-confidence as well as cultivate their cross-cultural awareness in future English reading teaching.