The Level of Anxiety among Jordanian EFL Undergraduates in Oral Communication Performance

Abstract:

The main aim of this study is to investigate the level of anxiety of Jordanian English as a foreign language (EFL) undergraduates in oral communication performance in Jerash University, Jordan. This study is significant in determining student’s level of anxiety and find solutions for reducing their anxiety. The sample of the study consists of 351 students and five lecturers. A 33-item questionnaire adopted from Horwitz et al. (1986) was used to investigate student’s level of anxiety. 35 students and five lecturers sat for interviews. SPSS 22 was used in this study to analyse the quantitative data while NVivo 10 was used for analysing the qualitative data.  The findings revealed that 60.7 per cent of the respondents showed that they experience anxiety while speaking in English. Qualitative findings from respondents suggest having collaboration between parents, lecturers and students, departure from current teacher-centered approaches, providing stress-free and congenial exercise of public speaking and debates. Future researchers are encouraged to add another research instrument when conducting studies investigating foreign language anxiety such as include students’ journals to get more accurate findings.