Investigating the sources of English-speaking anxiety among 18-20-year-old university learners: A qualitative case study

Abstract

This case study, with its association with language learning, aims to search for the main reasons for the level of anxiety among the learners while speaking English at Al-Musaddiq Institute of Higher Education, Kharian Campus. A qualitative method was applied which was completely based on a case study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was applied. The sample size of the study was 15 students of different disciplines of BS 1^st semester. According to the findings of the study under research, the element of anxiety while speaking English includes the communication process, unknown fear of assessment, test anxiety, fear of forgetting lexical items, and shyness in the presence of double-sex education. Additionally, keeping in view the study, the learners facing fear of a high level of anxiety while speaking a foreign language have a personal opinion about themselves and are thinking of their poor performance speaking in front of others like their peers and teachers.