The Relationship between Language Learning Anxiety and English Language Speaking Performance among Pre-Diploma Students at A Public University in Malaysia

Abstract

Language learning anxiety has been known to have a serious effect not only on students' language performance but also on second language learning processes. This study aims at investigating the relationship between English Language Anxiety and English language speaking performance among pre-diploma students at a public university in Malaysia. The objectives of the study are to investigate the students’ language anxiety levels and explore the major causes of anxiety among them as they make a transition from secondary to tertiary education. The participants of the study will be 120 pre-diploma students enrolled in Proficiency Level English as a second language course at UiTM Perak. The data was collected through the distribution of questionnaires adapted from Horwitz’(1989) Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) which consists of 33 statements. Pearson Correlation was used to determine the relationship between students’ anxiety level based on the results of FLCAS and the students’ performance on the ‘speaking’ component of their formative assessment.