Validating Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale for High School Students

Abstract

With the implementation of the Bilingual 2030 policy by the National Development Council in 2018, understanding the anxiety levels of junior and senior high school students in Taiwan regarding the English language has become crucial, especially in the context of online learning. This study reviewed the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale, modifying its factor structure and reducing the number of items to 19. The revised scale encompasses four factors: anxiety, self-efficacy, social comparison, and unwillingness to attend English classes. Data collected from 625 junior and senior high school students, within the framework of online learning, indicate the proposed scale's effectiveness and reliability in investigating English language anxiety among students. Additionally, the study offers insights into the impact of gender, grades, and the four identified factors.