Anxiety as a decisive factor

in learning English as a
Second Language (ESL) in
Compulsory Secondary
Education (CSE) and
Baccalaureate students
from the Andorran, Spanish
and French educational
systems

Authors:

Carles Perea Rodríguez1

Dr. Josep Lluis Monteagudo Vidal2

1
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8947-7128
2
ORCID:
 Index
Abstract.......................................................................................................................6
Resum.........................................................................................................................6
1 Introduction...............................................................................................................7
1.1 Justification........................................................................................................7
1.2 Hypotheses........................................................................................................8
1.3 Background of the study....................................................................................8
2 Methodology.............................................................................................................9
3 Theoretical framework............................................................................................10
3.1 The educational methods.................................................................................11
3.1.1 Traditional educational model...................................................................11
3.1.2 Alternative educational approaches..........................................................12
3.2 How does learning occur?...............................................................................14
3.2.1 Chomsky’s innate hypothesis....................................................................14
3.2.2 Piaget and Vygotsky’s interactionist theory...............................................15
3.2.3 Skinner’s behaviourism theory..................................................................15
3.3 Affective variables related to the learning of ESL............................................15
3.3.1 Self-confidence..........................................................................................16
3.3.2 Learning styles...........................................................................................16
3.3.3 Motivation..................................................................................................17
3.4 Anxiety.............................................................................................................19
3.4.1 Types of anxiety.........................................................................................19
3.4.2 Anxiety in learning English........................................................................21
3.4.3 Sources of anxiety.....................................................................................21
3.4.4 Analysis of the anxiety variable.................................................................24
3.4.5 Situations that produce anxiety.................................................................25
3.4.6 Situations that originate anxiety................................................................25
3.4.7 Techniques for the prevention and reduction of anxiety...........................27
3.4.8 How anxiety hinder learning......................................................................29
3.4.9 How anxiety affects students?...................................................................30
3.5 Strategies to reduce anxiety in the classroom.................................................31
4 From theory to practice: study on the anxiety influence in English class in high
school students..........................................................................................................32

2
 4.1 Procedure.........................................................................................................32
4.2 Objectives........................................................................................................33
4.2.1 Main objective............................................................................................33
4.2.2 Operative objectives..................................................................................33
4.3 Technique used...............................................................................................33
4.4 Results.............................................................................................................33
4.5 Discussion........................................................................................................46
5. Conclusions...........................................................................................................50
6 References.............................................................................................................52
7 Annexes..................................................................................................................56
7.1 Annexe 1: FLCAS Questionnaire.....................................................................56

Index of figures
Figure 1: The learner’s affective barriers and their interrelations (Turula, A., 2020). 10
Figure 2: Class anxiety. 1 st course of Baccalaureate. Spanish high school (Perea, C.,
2020)...........................................................................................................................34
Figure 3: Class anxiety. 2 nd course of Baccalaureate. Spanish high school (Perea,
C., 2020).....................................................................................................................34
Figure 4: Class anxiety. 1st and 2nd course of Baccalaureate. Spanish high school
(Perea, C., 2020)........................................................................................................35
Figure 5: Class anxiety. 1st course of Baccalaureate. Andorran high school (Perea,
C., 2020).....................................................................................................................35
Figure 6: Class anxiety. 2nd course of Baccalaureate. Andorran high school (Perea,
C., 2020).....................................................................................................................36
Figure 7: Class anxiety. 1st and 2nd course of Baccalaureate. Andorran high school
(Perea, C., 2020)........................................................................................................36
Figure 8: Andorran educational system. Communicative apprehension. Andorran
high school of CSE (Perea, C., 2020)........................................................................37
Figure 9: Andorran educational system. Fear of feedback by peers or teachers.
Andorran high school of CSE (Perea, C., 2020)........................................................37
Figure 10: Andorran educational system. Fear of English test. Andorran high school
of CSE (Perea, C., 2020)............................................................................................38
Figure 11: Spanish educational system. Communicative apprehension. Spanish high
school of CSE (Perea, C., 2020)................................................................................38
Figure 12: Spanish educational system. Fear of feedback by peers or teachers.
Spanish high school of CSE (Perea, C., 2020)..........................................................39
Figure 13: Spanish educational system. Fear of English tests. Spanish high school of
CSE (Perea, C., 2020)................................................................................................39

3
Figure 14: French educational system. Communicative apprehension. French high
school of CSE (Perea, C., 2020)................................................................................40
Figure 15: French educational system. Fear of feedback by peers or teachers.
French high school of CSE (Perea, C., 2020)............................................................40
Figure 16: French educational system. Fear of English tests. French high school of
CSE (Perea, C., 2020)................................................................................................41
Figure 17: Class anxiety. 1st course of Baccalaureate. French high school (Perea, C.,
2020)...........................................................................................................................41
Figure 18: Class anxiety. 2nd course of Baccalaureate. French high school (Perea,
C., 2020).....................................................................................................................42
Figure 19: Class anxiety. 1 st and 2nd course of Baccalaureate. French high school
(Perea, C., 2020)........................................................................................................42
Figure 20: Communicative apprehension in CSE students (Perea, C., 2020)...........43
Figure 21: .......... Fear of feedback by peers or teachers in CSE students (Perea, C.,
2020)...........................................................................................................................43
Figure 22: Fear of English tests in CSE students (Perea, C., 2020)..........................44
Figure 23: Communicative apprehension in Baccalaureate students (Perea, C.,
2020)...........................................................................................................................44
Figure 24: Fear of feedback by peers or teachers in Baccalaureate students (Perea,
C., 2020).....................................................................................................................45
Figure 25: Fear of English tests in Baccalaureate students (Perea, C., 2020)..........45
Figure 26: Anxiety in Baccalaureate students (Perea, C., 2020)...............................46

Index of tables
Table 1: Differences between pathological anxiety and adaptative anxiety (Perea, C.,
2020)...........................................................................................................................20
Table 2: Class Anxiety. 1st course Baccalaureate. Spanish high school (Perea, C.,
2020)...........................................................................................................................62
Table 3: Class Anxiety. 2nd course Baccalaureate. Spanish high school (Perea, C.,
2020)...........................................................................................................................64
Table 4: Class Anxiety. 1st course Baccalaureate. Andorran high school (Perea, C.,
2020)...........................................................................................................................66
Table 5: Class Anxiety. 2nd course Baccalaureate. Andorran high school (Perea, C.,
2020)...........................................................................................................................68
Table 6: Class Anxiety. 1st course CSE. Andorran high school (Perea, C., 2020)....70
Table 7: Class Anxiety. 2nd course CSE. Andorran high school (Perea, C., 2020)....72
Table 8: Class Anxiety. 3rd course CSE. Andorran high school (Perea, C., 2020)....74
Table 9: Class Anxiety. 4th course CSE. Andorran high school (Perea, C., 2020)....76
Table 10: Class Anxiety. 1st course CSE. Spanish high school (Perea, C., 2020)....78
Table 11: Class Anxiety. 2nd course CSE. Spanish high school (Perea, C., 2020)....80
Table 12: Class Anxiety. 3rd course CSE. Spanish high school (Perea, C., 2020)....82
Table 13: Class Anxiety. 4th course CSE. Spanish high school (Perea, C., 2020)....84

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Table 14: Class Anxiety. 1st course CSE. French high school (Perea, C., 2020)......86
Table 15: Class Anxiety. 2nd course CSE. French high school (Perea, C., 2020).....88
Table 16: Class Anxiety. 3rd course CSE. French high school (Perea, C., 2020)......90
Table 17: Class Anxiety. 4th course CSE. French high school (Perea, C., 2020)......92
Table 18: Class Anxiety. 1st course Baccalaureate. French high school (Perea, C.,
2020)...........................................................................................................................94
Table 19: Class Anxiety. 2 nd course Baccalaureate. French high school (Perea, C.,
2020)...........................................................................................................................96

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations

CBE: Competency-Based Education

CSE: Compulsory Secondary Education

EFL: English as a Foreign Language

ELA: English Language Acquisition

ESL: English as a Second Language

LS: Learning Styles

L1: Mother/Father/Parent tongue, first language, arterial language or native

language

L2: Foreign or second language

5
 Abstract
The present research has the main purpose of explaining how the feeling of anxiety
is fully present in CSE and Baccalaureate students and also in high school English
classrooms in Andorra. Also delve into how this affects the process of learning the
English language. Another of the main purposes of this work will also be to offer an
alternative methodology to reduce this feeling and to be able to promote success in
our educational practice in teaching English. In the reality of learning the English
language, regardless of the methodology used by the teacher, there is also the fear
component. Especially in the methodology focused on communication and oral
interaction. This feeling generates anxiety and it directly affects as an obstacle and
difficulty in the development of language skills. When learning is frustrated by fear,
all this can lead to trauma in students and can be extended to adulthood. Therefore,
it will be a reflection tool for the analysis of how the teaching methodology and the
educational model in the English class can favour or reduce the feeling of anxiety
and how it affects students in their learning. It will also be important to reflect on
problems associated with this feeling and an understanding of the affective variables
in academic performance.

Key words: anxiety, CSE, Baccalaureate, ELA, teaching methodology

Resum
La present investigació té l'objectiu principal d'explicar com el sentiment d'ansietat
està completament present en els estudiants d'ESO i Batxillerat i també a les aules
d'anglès de secundària d’Andorra. També s'aprofundeix en com això afecta el
procés d'aprenentatge de l'idioma anglès. Un altre dels propòsits principals d'aquest
treball també serà oferir una metodologia alternativa per reduir aquest sentiment i
poder promoure l'èxit en la nostra pràctica educativa en l'ensenyament de l'anglès.
En la realitat de l'aprenentatge de l'anglès, independentment de la metodologia
utilitzada pel professor, també hi ha el component por. Especialment en la
metodologia centrada en la comunicació i la interacció oral. Aquest sentiment
genera ansietat i afecta directament com a obstacle i dificultat en el
desenvolupament de les habilitats del llenguatge. Quan la por frustra l'aprenentatge,
tot això pot conduir a un trauma en els estudiants i es pot estendre a l'edat adulta.
Per tant, serà una eina de reflexió per a l'anàlisi de com la metodologia
d'ensenyament i el model educatiu a la classe d'anglès poden afavorir o reduir la
sensació d'ansietat i com afecta els estudiants en el seu aprenentatge. També serà
important reflexionar sobre els problemes associats amb aquest sentiment i
comprendre les variables afectives en el rendiment acadèmic.

Paraules clau: ansietat, ESO, Batxillerat, aprenentatge de la llengua anglesa,

metodologia d’ensenyament

6
1 Introduction

1.1 Justification
The present research has the main purpose of explaining how the feeling of anxiety,
recurrently present in Compulsory Secondary Education (CSE) and Baccalaureate
English classrooms, affects the process of learning English as a second language
(ESL). Different authors hold dissimilar opinions regarding anxiety and affect in
language learning. Arnold (2000, 8) argues that "it is associated with negative
feelings such as uneasiness, frustration, self-doubt, apprehension and tension."
However, other researchers do not share this negative vision of anxiety.
Psycholinguists such as Scovel (1978) distinguish between facilitating anxiety and
debilitating anxiety. The former one corresponding to a positive type of anxiety that
would help learners encourage their learning.

A practical outcome of this work should be to offer alternative practices aimed at

reducing this feeling of anxiety so as to be able to promote success in our
educational task of teaching English. In the reality of learning English as a Second
Language (ESL), regardless of the methodology used by the teacher, there is also
present the issue of fear. Some approaches which put an emphasis on
communication and oral interaction may tend to increase this feeling of fear. This in
turn generates anxiety and it directly affects students as an obstacle which hinders
the development of language skills […] fear and anxiety undermine cognitive
capacity and short circuit the learning process (L. Darling-Hammond et al., 2020,
102). When learning is frustrated by fear, all this can lead to trauma in students and
it can last well into adulthood. For that reason, this work aims at providing a
reflection tool for the analysis of how the teaching methodology and the educational
model in the English class can favour or reduce the feeling of anxiety and how it
affects students in their learning. It is necessary to reflect on the problems
associated with this feeling of anxiety and to seek a clearer understanding of how the
affective variables influence academic performance.

In the end, it will possible to verify if our initial hypotheses in relation to anxiety are a
characteristic of the different educational environments in the Principality of Andorra.
To do this, we will carry out surveys on students at different levels of the three
educational systems of the Principality of Andorra (Andorran, French and Spanish)
which will allow us to compare and discuss their results. Our main objective is to
study how anxiety associated to fears and insecurities can be mitigated by
motivation in Compulsory Secondary Education (CSE) and Baccalaureate students.
Moreover, teaching strategies will be offered to reduce the effect and presence of
anxiety in the classroom. We seek alternatives to the infamous rule or axiom “spare
the rod and spoil the child”, or in the words of Oxford (2003), "If there is harmony
between (a) the student (in terms of style and strategy preferences) and (b) the
combination of instructional methodology and materials, then the student is likely to
perform well, feel confident, and experience low anxiety. If clashes occur between

7
(a) and (b), the student often performs poorly, feels unconfident, and experiences
significant anxiety.

1.2 Hypotheses
Our hypotheses about SLA in our research are:

 Anxiety directly affects English Language Acquisition (ELA).

 A competence-based educational system and a student-centred methodology
favours less anxiety than a teacher-centred educational system.

1.3 Background of the study

When we are determining which factors affect the learning of a second language,
there has always been a dichotomy between the cognitive variables (they cover
attributes such as intelligence or memory) and the affective variables (they include
motivation, self-concept or anxiety). All things considered, we could say that the first
ones refer to the person's abilities while the second ones have to do with their
attitudes.

The teacher needs to know how to recognize both, cognitive and affective variables
in order to act accordingly and in the best possible way. This has to do with the fact
that until now, cognitive factors (intelligence, memory) have been taken more into
account in students, leaving aside their emotional aspects. The balance must be
found in order to, not only enrich the teaching-learning process, but also educate in a
more holistic way in the classroom.

Furthermore, different authors consider that attending to the emotional component

should receive more attention; psychologist Daniel Goleman states that “Emotions
out of control impede the intellect […] emotional competence is the master aptitude,
facilitating all other kinds of intelligence" (Goleman, 2009: 171). This emotional
element in our classrooms should be examined not only in students but also in
teachers, especially when we study learning and communicating in English.

Other scholars from other disciplines, such as pedagogy, have researched and
written about anxiety. The studies of Oxford (2003) are based on clarifying what
processes and situations cause anxiety and how to deal with them. Another
interesting research is the one that was carried out by the University of Malaga
through the CAEX questionnaire (1999). This study concluded that women suffer
much more anxiety than men in addition to certain obsessive thoughts on the part of
students.

It seems evident that the aforementioned emotional variables, and more significantly
anxiety, can favour or hinder the process of learning and teaching the English
language. As the previous authors have studied, and research continues, anxiety
can block the student and make them learn more slowly. It is imperative to know if it
has to do with internal factors of the students themselves, if it is intrinsic to their
personality or if it has to do with the context: the language classroom. The new

8
 educational reality, as well as the new teaching-learning methods, can increase,
lessen or even eradicate the anxiety that is generated in the language classroom.
Through this research we aim at identifying which are the methodologies that reduce
or even eliminate anxiety in the teaching of ESL. We will conduct surveys on groups
of students from the different educational systems in the Principality of Andorra in
order to analyse the results and, in addition, prepare our conclusions in the light of
the proposed initial hypotheses.

2 Methodology
To verify our hypotheses we will analyse not only the results of our surveys, but also
previous works carried out on the subject by different authors 3. This analysis will
allow us to compare the different English classroom practices from a methodological
point of view and also to identify the psychological processes that influence the
teaching of ESL. By doing so, this study will permit us to reach conclusions, test
hypotheses and state recommendations to reduce or eventually remove anxiety from
the English classroom.

The causes of suffering anxiety in the English classroom can be motivated by many
factors such as: having a full proficiency of the language, inferiority complexes by
comparing with other classmates fear of speaking in public, fear of the reaction of the
teacher, etc. And this is where the teacher has a very important role. Teachers must
know how to identify the causes of anxiety, eradicate them and, above all, offer
alternatives and tools to students so that the situation does not happen again. If this
situation does occur, the teacher may be held responsible (directly or indirectly) of
the student's failure. For this reason, this will be the backbone of our research, with
an active-participatory methodology by students and teachers for the benefit of both.

The ideal outcome would be that teachers favour in the English classroom a warm,
safe and trustful environment among the group. A place where students feel valued,
where teachers not only keep in mind their abilities but also attend to their diversity.
All this will substantially reduce the anxiety that some may feel towards learning
English. A class environment where students do not feel judged or undervalued,
where the fear of being wrong does not exist should be the goal of everybody in the
teaching community, from the teachers themselves to the governing authorities.

Therefore, the practices proposed to reduce the anxiety of students require teachers
to implement the following actions:

● Foster self-esteem and also student confidence during the activities.

● Make understand that error is part of learning and that students should not be
afraid of doing it.

3
Ansari, M.S (2015); Campbell, J. D. (1990); Darling-Hammond et. al (2020); De Prada E. (1991); Dörnyei, Z. (1998); Ellis, A.
(2003); Gutiérrez, J. L. G., Jiménez, B. M., Hernández, E. G., & Pcn, C. (2005); Heyde, A. W. (1979); Horwitz, E. K., Horwitz,
M. B., & Cope, J. (1986); MacIntyre, P. D., & Gardner, R. C. (1989); Oxford, R. (2003); Rojas, E. (2008); Rubio, F. (2004);
Scovel, T. (1978); Spielberger, C. D. (1980), Tanveer, M. (2007), Turula, A. (2002) and Young, D. (1991).

9
 ● Accompany students in the process of establishing objectives and goals
throughout the course and, on the other hand, help them find strategies to
overcome obstacles.
● Make an accompaniment with students that can help them see where they
have to go and how they can do it.
● Promote significant rewards so that students can use the English language
during class and are motivated to do so. Motivation will be the key for learning
to be meaningful.
● Encourage a cooperative environment during classes instead of a competitive
one that can cause anxiety.

3 Theoretical framework
As mentioned earlier there are different types of anxiety, MacIntyre and Gardner
(1989) differentiate between generalized anxiety and communicative anxiety, the
latter one directly related to learning foreign languages. We can also mention the
claims of Scovel (1978) that makes a differentiation between anxiety as a trait of the
person and anxiety as a state. It is also worth mentioning the findings of Turula
2002) who identifies the learner’s affective barriers and their interrelations (Figure 1).

Figure 1
The learner’s affective barriers and their interrelations (Turula, A., 2002)

10
3.1 The educational methods
In our 21st Century classrooms we can distinguish different educational methods and
diverse teaching styles. On the one hand, we have the classic educational method,
which focuses on the same routine followed every day by students and teachers.
That is, students attend class to listen to all the explanations that come from the
different teachers. It is the so-called master method, where the teacher is the centre
and the only source of knowledge. Durkheim & Simpson (1963) define this model as:

“All education consists of a continuous effort to impose on a child ways of

seeing, thinking and acting, to those who would not reach spontaneously, and
that are claimed by society as a whole and by the social environment to which
in particular it's destined".

On the other hand, as of late, we have witnessed different instances of a model

where the teacher ceases to be the only source of learning and its position is more
that of an accompanying guide that does not interfere with the student's own learning
process, but rather attends to the cognitive, socio-affective and sensory dimensions
of the students. In the line of this model, which seems more adjusted to our
contemporary educational reality, we find that Rousseau (1762) already specified
this educational perspective in his studies:

“Undoubtedly, clearer and safer notions of the things that one learns for
oneself are acquired than those that are known by the teaching of another,
and, in addition to the fact that reason does not usually subserviently submit
to authority, one ends up being more ingenious to find relationships, link
ideas, [...] that when, adopting everything to the way they give it to us, we let
our spirit fall into neglect [...]”

3.1.1 Traditional educational model

Traditional educational methods in the teaching of foreign languages have been the
most used ones for a long time. In fact, they are still valid in many educational
centres and language academies.

3.1.1.1 Grammar translation method

Followers of this method pursue a learning based on memorizing grammar rules and
vocabulary for the subsequent translation of texts. The role that the student plays in
this process is totally passive, there is little participation in the class, it is the teacher
who develops the active role and dictates the pertinent corrections to the students.
Teachers do not need to know the language at all since they present the grammar
explanation in the mother tongue (L1). This is detrimental to the learning of the
foreign language since, when the language is not spoken in class, oral
comprehension and expression cannot be exercised. This will make students have
many difficulties to express themselves in the foreign language (L2) and when they
do, they have a poor pronunciation.

11
In addition, the textbook is widely used with the relevant teaching material, which
results in the teacher having a lower level of preparation. For all this, the teacher
favours an exclusively standard teaching practice. This method focuses on important
structures which are presented with grammar explanations by the teacher. Thus, it is
the teacher who will decide whether or not a student knows the foreign language
depending on the degree of memorization of the grammar rules that have been
previously memorized.

3.1.1.2 Audio-lingualism
This method is based on building learning by concentrating on orality and, later,
writing. In fact, there is a lot of impact on pronunciation and many exercises are
aimed at improving orality, correcting mistakes and positively reinforcing the correct
structures. The student who receives this learning model will gradually memorize
vocabulary and syntactic structures. Proof of this can be found in such common
technique as the pattern drills method, consisting of repeating structures until
memorization. As you do it, the difficulty level will increase. In this model, motivation
plays a very important role. In fact, the same results will not be obtained with an
unmotivated student than with a motivated student. The main problem of this method
is the lack of creativity on the part of the students in the fulfilment of the tasks. The
fact of constantly repeating phrases and dialogues is a demotivating factor that
directly affects language learning.

3.1.1.3 Direct method

This model emphasizes language skills by focusing on oral language. Unlike the
previous model, in this case, the teacher tries not to use the source language at any
time. To ensure that it is not used the teacher tries to explain the words that are not
understood or the new vocabulary. Knowledge and learning are going to develop in a
natural and gradual way.

In this specific model, the teacher seeks student participation using everyday
vocabulary and expressions. . On the one hand, the teaching of grammar is done in
an inductive way. The student also focuses on the imitation of the teacher although it
depends a lot on improvisation in the classroom. The level of knowledge of the
language by the teacher must be native or near-native because of the oral nature of
the activities of the method. On the other hand, by constantly encouraging dialogue
between student and teacher, the level of exhaustion turns out to be rather high. This
may not favour learning and it increases demotivation.

3.1.2 Alternative educational approaches

In front of the different traditional methods, other alternatives have appeared. They
are becoming more and more accepted and they are facing less and less opposition
from the teachers.

12
3.1.2.1 Community language learning
This method was promoted by the American psychotherapist Charles A. Curran in
1961. It is mainly based on teamwork and focuses on adult students. It consists of
the students working with this method function as a team. In collaboration with each
other, without stress and competitiveness. The teacher's role, in this case, acquires a
guiding role without authoritarianism to favour autonomous student learning.

3.1.2.2 Silent Way

This model is based on total silence on the part of the teacher during class. It was
created by the Egyptian pedagogue and scientist Caleb Gattegno in 1972. The silent
educational model is based on the teacher communicating through gestures,
writings, colours, etc. but without forcing or encouraging memorization, as in other
cases. Grammar structures and vocabulary are visible in the classroom. One of the
disadvantages of this method is that, since the teacher is completely silent, the
correct pronunciation and intonation are not encouraged.

3.1.2.3 The Natural Approach

During the 1970’s and 1980’s Krashen, a linguist and professor at the University of
Southern California, and Terrel developed the theoretical basis of this approach
based on the theory of second language acquisition. This approach is based on
Krashen’s five hypotheses:
 The Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis claims that the former is a process
similar to that used by children to develop the ability to communicate in the
L1, whereas the latter refers to the conscious study of the rules and the
grammar of a language.
 The Natural Order Hypothesis points out that the acquisition of grammatical
structures follows a predictable order.
 The Monitor Hypothesis explains that learning a language leads to the
development of an internal editor or monitor.
 The Input Hypothesis maintains that for learning to take place, input must be
comprehensible but one step beyond the student’s linguistic ability.
 The Affective Filter Hypothesis argues that there are a series of affective
variables that facilitate or hinder the acquisition of a second language, among
them motivation, self-esteem and anxiety.

3.1.2.4 Total Physical Response

This alternative educational model was promoted by psychologist and Professor
James Asher in 1969. The object of the method seeks a totally dynamic, fun and
enjoyable learning. It is based on the fact that the child first listens to an instruction in
the L1 and then carries out said instruction. In this way, the language is gradually
understood and they learn to use it when they are prepared.

3.1.2.3 Suggestopedia
This model was driven by the Bulgarian neuropsychiatric Georgi Lozanov in 1984.
On the one hand, this method is mainly aimed at reducing the fear of making

13
mistakes. Context is important to carry out this model. That is why the seats in class
are much more comfortable, the light must be dim and the teacher can play
background music. On the other hand, suggestopedia looks for cerebral suggestion
through fun and dynamic activities such as: music, dramatization, etc.

To sum up, it is worthwhile pointing out the fact that even though all these methods
are different, they all acknowledge the importance of affect in their principles.

3.2 How does learning occur?

The learning process is based on neuroplasticity, a process which as time moves
forward, it diminishes. To clarify the concept, we could define neuroplasticity as the
ability of the human brain to increase or decrease neuronal ramifications from certain
stimuli in the cerebral cortex. From our birth to adolescence, our brain develops and
grows. At 10 years of age, an adult's brain is already developed. It is important to
stimulate the baby as early as possible. This will allow a much faster development. It
is from adolescence that the brain begins to lose neuronal connections. If you add
the consumption of toxic substances, malnutrition or alcohol, this loss of neuronal
connections increases. More specifically, when we refer to the learning process, the
cerebral hippocampus is stimulated. The hippocampus is one of the nuclei of the
limbic system. For this reason, students will learn and acquire more knowledge when
learning produces satisfaction and emotion.

Studies on how learning occurs can be divided into two large groups: empiricist
approaches (inductive point of view, focusing on external stimuli from the outside
world) and rationalistic approaches (deductive point of view, knowledge stimulates
deduction and it reinforces the experience). Within these approaches, we will focus
on three important theories about the learning of second languages: Chomsky's
innatist hypothesis, Piaget and Vygotsky's interactionism theory and Skinner's
behavioural theory.

3.2.1 Chomsky’s innate hypothesis

According to Chomsky (2006), people are born, biologically prepared, to learn a
language. His studies and approaches are based on the concept of "Universal
Grammar"; a range of categories and traits that the child unites and transforms to
learn the language and form the language. For Chomsky, this is true and it is
demonstrated that all children learn languages in the same way, and at
approximately the same age. For all this it is necessary to have a set of previous
norms and structures that for him would be the "Universal Grammar".

3.2.2 Piaget and Vygotsky’s interactionist theory

Piaget states in his theory that the learning process occurs through the interaction of
the innate properties of the child with the surrounding environment, subject to

14
external stimuli. This theory also highlights the importance of the child's will in the
learning process, since this feeling gives meaning to its actions, and these provide
important information. Therefore, knowledge is going to occur between the
interactions of external information with the innate principles of the person. On the
other hand, Vygotsky maintains that “language and cultural exchanges shape the
development of the student’s capacities” (Vygotsky, 1978).

3.2.3 Skinner’s behaviourism theory

According to this behavioural theory (behaviourism comes from cognitive
psychology), learning a foreign language or a second language other than the
mother tongue is based on imitation and repetition. For behaviourism, learning a
language is learning a series of habits. Those of the mother tongue will interfere with
the learning of those of the second language, thus, the more the habits resemble,
the easier the learning will be. Skinner assures in his behavioural theory that
language learning is not an intellectual process, it is mechanical. He corroborated it
with the system of positive and negative reinforcements in his studies with animals.
For Skinner (Delprato and Midgley, 1992) this process is the same for both humans
and animals, comparing it to the child's learning when they make mistakes and
according to the reinforcing response provided by the teacher.

3.3 Affective variables related to the learning of ESL

In this section we will analyse those variables that influence the learning process of a
foreign language and investigate which characteristics we can have an influence on,
in order to improve learning. Stern (1983, 338) distinguishes five sets of variables
that influence the learning process: social context, learner characteristics, learning
process, learning conditions and learning outcomes.

In itself learning, and using a foreign language is a transactional process that

involves emotional factors in the student. Since the second half of the last century,
scientists have been studying the importance of affective variables in learning.
Bower (1981) proved that emotion powerfully influenced cognitive processes. Stern
(1983, 386) goes beyond that and claims that the affective component contributes at
least as much as and often more to language learning than the cognitive skills. (The
emphasis is his) E. Hilgard (1963: 267 in D. Brown 1973: 232) insisted that “purely
cognitive theories of learning will be rejected unless a role is assigned to affectivity.”
Likewise, the Council of Europe's (2001) approach to modern languages
acknowledges the importance of affective factors and includes the Existential
Competence, which embraces elements such as motivation, self-confidence,
anxiety/fear, among the competences directly concerned with language learning.

After a thorough revision of empiric evidence, social psychologists Bless and Fielder
stressed that affect has a direct influence on cognition: the presented findings
indicate that individuals’ affective states have pronounced effects on cognitive and
behavioural regulation on a large variety of dimensions (Bless and Fiedler, 2005).

15
After all this research and analysis of the state-of-the-art in the field of teaching and
learning ESL, we have decided to focus our attention on the following personal and
affective variables: self-confidence, learning styles, motivation and anxiety/fear.

3.3.1 Self-confidence
Different studies showed that self-confidence, i.e. how one feels about their abilities,
is directly related to a better and more effective teaching and learning of a language.
Heyde (1979) conducted studies with American university students and reported that
there is a positive correlation between self-esteem and oral production. Brown
argues that […] no successful cognitive or affective activity can be carried out
without some degree of self-esteem, self-confidence, knowledge of yourself, and
belief in your own capabilities for that activity (Brown, 2000: 145). The image that we
have of ourselves, conditions us. In the same way that it influences how we act and
exhibit ourselves to the outside world; it also does so in the language classroom,
since identity and language are interrelated.

On the other hand, and in reference to self-confidence a person can have a low
confidence in themselves while they carry out a given task. That is what
differentiates the terms of self-esteem and self-confidence. The former refers to how
a person feels about themselves on the whole, while the latter denotes how a person
feels in relation to their abilities and can change from situation to situation. Nor
should we confuse having high self-esteem with a disproportionate and harmful ego.

It will be essential for the teacher, although sometimes it is not simple, the promotion
and development of the self-confidence of their students in the activities carried out
in the classroom, creating an environment of support and attention, this in turn, will
result in the students increasing their self-esteem. Students with low self-esteem will
tend not to participate and it will be essential to make the student progress in their
learning, in a safe way and at a non-traumatic pace, so that they can follow the
rhythm of the rest of the classmates. This fact will redirect the attention of the student
and we will promote a successful learning.

3.3.2 Learning styles

In relation to the construct Learning Styles (LS), and in view of the numerous
classifications that we find nowadays, we must point out that it is not our objective to
decide which model or theory is the most reputable. We have analysed different
studies that compared different models of classification of LS (De Bello, 1990;
Cassidy, 2004; Coffield et al., 2004)) and we have adopted the definition proposed
by Keefe as quoted by Alonso et al., (1997, 48): Learning Styles are the cognitive,
affective and physiological traits, which serve as relatively stable indicators of how
students perceive, interact and respond to their learning environments.

The review of LS models by Coffield suggests that there may be more than 70
models of classification of LS, though they recognize that 13 of them are the most
reliable. With the intention to categorize these models, the authors classify them in
five main groups or families:

16
  Those that are constitutionally based.
 Those based on the cognitive structure.
 Those related to a relatively stable personality type.
 Those based on flexibly stable learning preferences.
 Those that move from LS to learning approaches or strategies.

Due to our position as educators in the classroom, it was considered appropriate to

study the students’ LS following a model of the group that classifies the learners
based on their flexibly stable learning preferences, and within this family we decided
on a model based on the process since it is here where we can modify the
educational actions.

One of the most trusted models within that group is the one formulated by Felder-
Silverman (Felder, 1996). This model specifically classifies students considering the
dichotomies Visual-Verbal and Sequential-Global. These four dimensions proved to
be crucial at the time of considering the LS of students. Different works (Graf et al.,
2007; Monteagudo, 2014) have demonstrated the importance of this model in
relation to the design and development of technology-enhanced learning materials.

3.3.3 Motivation
For different authors, motivation is one of the most studied factors in relation to
success or failure in foreign language learning (Gardner, 1960; Dörnyei, 1998;
Gardner, 2000, Arnold 2000, Gardner, 2005) among others This motivation, a priori,
attracts the person to study this second language and will depend on it for the
student to continue on their learning path, despite the obstacles and difficulties that
may be encountered. Arnold (2000) explains different types of motivation:
 Integrative motivation (the desire to learn a language to relate to another
culture).
 Instrumental motivation (it originates in practical reasons).
 Intrinsic motivation (it stems from the student’s own learning experience).
 Extrinsic motivation (it arises from processes external to the learning process).

Ellis (2008, 36) describes that motivation can be:

 Causative, (i.e. have an effect on learning)

 Resultative, (i.e. be influenced by learning)
 Intrinsic, (i.e. derived from personal interests)
 Extrinsic, (i.e. derived from external sources)

In order to understand how motivation influences the learning process we examined

some of the theories that have studied it. The theory of planned behaviour outlined
by Ajzen claims that the most important determinant of action is a person’s intention.
(Ajzen & Fishbein, 2005). The expectancy-value theories have been very influential
in motivational psychology. According to these theories, motivation depends on two
key factors:

17
  The expectation of success that the student has with the task.
 The value attributed by the student to the success of the task.

If one of them is absent, the motivation will be conditioned and the individual may not
solve the proposed task. Dörnyei (1998) recognizes that three are the most
important factors that motivate the expectation of the student’s success:

 Attribution theory is the ability to evaluate past experiences and how this
assessment influences the way of facing new challenges. The less controllable
those causes that can cause failure are, the lower the chance of success.
 Self-efficacy theory refers to the way in which we value our skills and
competencies. The proposed activities must make sense to the students and
must be able to be executed successfully so that they can feel in control during
their performance.
 Self-worth theory has to do with the attempt to preserve the person’s self-
esteem. Those students who think they can fail in their tasks are not going to
do them to avoid further damaging their self-esteem.

Another interesting term to know is the concept of flow, coined by the psychologist
Csikszentmihalyi (1990). This concept, which can be applied to both students and
teachers, can be defined as the state in which the person is completely absorbed in
what they are doing and pays attention to the task without interruptions, thus, joining
actions with conscience. In order to achieve this state in our classrooms, the
activities proposed by the teacher must have clear goals and must not be neither too
easy nor too difficult. This methodological proposal will allow maintaining the
motivation and attention of the student. And it is important that the teacher feels this
motivation to promote it in the language classrooms.

Arnold (2007) proposes a series of suggestions to encourage motivation in the

language classroom:

 The teacher must promote student autonomy through learning strategies.

 The teacher must favour intrinsic motivation and not extrinsic.
 The teacher must enhance cooperative activities that are based on student
interests.
 The teacher must ensure that evaluation tests allow the contribution of
students' knowledge by offering feedback.

3.4 Anxiety
In the same way as with other variables and the components of affectivity, there is
no consensus on the most accurate definition of anxiety. For this reason, will try to
adopt the definition that best corresponds with our research. First and according to

18
the definition offered by the Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (2017) we can
define anxiety as: “A state of agitation, restlessness or anxiety. Anguish that usually
accompanies many diseases, in particular certain neuroses, and that does not allow
patients to calm down.”

But this description of the concept is very short for the topic we want to address.
Besides, this definition pays special attention to concepts and situations related to
medicine or psychology. We must define the concept in relation to our field to
understand it better. Different authors have written about anxiety. Spielberger (1980)
defines anxiety as: "Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional reaction produced by an
external stimulus, which is considered by the individual as threatening, producing
physiological and behavioural changes in the subject."

Another definition that complements Spielberger’s is the one offered by PhD Enrique
Rojas, Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard University. Rojas (2008) states that:

“Sometimes you can think that you don't have to do things right, but better
than others, which implies a different and disfigured orientation of life, which
gives rise to a deep dissatisfaction that adds to the anxiety of hypertrophied
competitiveness. […]”

Ansari (2015) suggests that anxiety, broadly speaking, is “the subjective feeling of
tension, apprehension, nervousness and worry associated with an arousal of the
automatic nervous system”. In the line of that, Tanveer (2007) suggest that anxiety
“is a psychological construct, commonly described by psychologists as a state of
apprehension, a vague fear that is only indirectly associated with an object” (Hilgard,
Atkinson, & Atkinson, 1971 cited in Scovel, 1991:18).

In addition to the definitions of the different authors we can differentiate two types of
anxiety: adaptive and pathological. The former is an answer that helps to be alert
and the latter is the result of how fear makes it difficult for the person to have a fully
normal life, as in the cases of obsessions or phobias.

3.4.1 Types of anxiety

Anxiety is a construct that has been more frequently studied in relation to psychology
than in didactics. Nonetheless, we will try to clarify concepts and state the
classifications proposed by different authors in reference to the learning of foreign
languages. For the teacher, knowing them will mean being able to adjust the
educational intervention and establish methodological strategies in the language
classroom.

Rubio (2004) classifies anxiety into four main categories:

 Considering the origin of the stimulus: existential anxiety (feeling of

uneasiness when we ask questions about who we are or why we are in this

19
 world), exogenous anxiety (arises from external social conflicts) and
endogenous anxiety (arises from the person himself, like panic attacks,
phobias ...).
 Taking into account the point of view of its nature: trait anxiety, state anxiety
and situational anxiety (anxiety in certain situations, such as exams. Also
known as language anxiety).
 According to its intensity: phobias, anxiety neurosis, anxiety reactive to stress
and normal tension. This last classification is more aimed at psychological
intervention and it is not so related to teaching.
 Facilitating anxiety and debilitating anxiety: the first is related to academic
performance and the second damages the students' performance through
doubt and concern. These constructs are independent of each other.

The different authors who have worked and studied the type of anxiety associated to
language learning, describe it, mainly, as a set of personal perceptions, beliefs,
behaviours and feelings related to the language classroom and the learning of the
foreign language. Rubio (2004) goes further and identifies three types of anxiety
associated to language learning:

 Anxiety associated to communicative apprehension (type of shyness

characterized by fear of communicating with others).
 Anxiety before exams.
 Anxiety associated with fear of a negative evaluation by another person.

See Table 1 for detailed differences between pathological anxiety and adaptive
anxiety.

Table 1
Differences between pathological anxiety and adaptive anxiety (Perea, C., 2020)

Pathological anxiety Adaptive anxiety

Apparently it is unmotivated and It is a motivated and explainable
inexplicable. response.
High or severe intensity Its intensity is moderate.
It is maladaptive (instead of helping, It is adaptive (helps the person).
unfair)
Disproportionate reaction to the Expected and common reaction.
situation
Degree of suffering: high and lasting Degree of suffering: limited and
transitory.
Degree of interference in daily life: Degree of interference in daily life:
deep absent

3.4.2 Anxiety in learning English

Language learning is not simply the study of grammatical norms and linguistic rules.
It goes much further. We need to understand it as a process in which students can

20
be involved in a vulnerable situation because they are exposed to negative
judgements, especially at the time of oral communication and interaction. This can
result in the students having a poor image of themselves. As we have previously
commented, these factors can hinder the learning process. These circumstances,
apart from blocking learning and conditioning the process of participation in the
language classroom, can worsen the students' qualifications.

When we are involved in an academic context to learn a new language, a priori, we

can feel some sort of uneasiness because our capacity for expression can be
limited. This situation can cause blockage and disinterest towards learning. It will be
essential to make students and also teachers understand that making mistakes is
part of the teaching-learning process. In this way we will prevent the fear of ridicule
from emerging in the English classrooms thus hindering our job as ESL teachers. It
is advisable not to force our students to speak when they do not feel prepared but
rather that it should be the student who develops the desire to learn the English
language. That is why it is very important for teachers to understand the
circumstances and the motivating factors to be able to correct the intervention, both
to eradicate existing anxiety and worry, and to prevent them from taking place.

It is important to highlight the meaningful role that the teacher has in the learning and
teaching of the foreign language since in the language classroom we can find
students who feel restless about exams and concerned about the evaluation. It
should be noted that the range of impact of anxiety produced by the fear of a
negative evaluation by other people is greater compared with the fear of
examinations. In other words, we teachers must understand that one of the most
powerful fears of students is the fear of making mistakes in front of their peers, while
exams are different tool of evaluation thus resulting in the different type of anxiety.
This later kind of fear may result in students preferring to leave the questions blank
rather than making mistakes. This fact can make it difficult to concentrate for the rest
of the test and to remember those elements that they had previously studied and that
they already know.

This uneasiness due to a non-positive evaluation in a given exam can hinder the
optimal development of the learning process, and it can appear in any evaluation
circumstance. That is why monitoring and promoting continuous observational
registration of the students’ performance is important in order to mitigate the value
and the fear of the exams as well as the incorporation of evaluation among peers.

3.4.3 Sources of anxiety

Different studies in the scientific literature reveal that there are several factors that
cause anxiety. Some of them can cause this uneasiness in the students to be
intermittent in their appearance while others may be more recurrent. Rubio (2004)
identifies six factors causing anxiety and proposes the following classification of
elements that are a source of anxiety in language learning:

21
1. A low level of knowledge and use of the language in relation to the learning
process being carried out is the first source that causes anxiety in the student.
However, it should be pointed out that the studies carried out around these
hypotheses are contradictory. Liu & Huang (2011: 6) proved "the existence of
difference in the level of uneasiness between low-level and high-level
students in the study of English as a foreign language." Whereas, Allwright
and Bailey (in Rubio 2004: 89) show that “anxiety is not exclusive to students
with a lower level of knowledge. The highest level can also have it”.
2. The second one that is mentioned is the wrong methodology carried out by
the teacher. Many teachers believe that a distant and authoritative attitude is
the best in relation to their students. And today there are still many teachers
who confuse the concept of discipline with that of authority. This second being
the main generator of a hostile climate in the language classroom. By
resorting to this type of methodology we can generate unwanted results thus
creating a climate of fear and insecurity in the classroom. There are other
beliefs that may affect the teaching-learning process, such as fear of work in
pairs. But one of most obnoxious is the practice carried out by many teachers
which consists in constantly correcting the mistakes of their students and
recriminating those mistakes. By doing so we may affect the self-esteem of
our students and reduce their participation in the classroom. One of the
considerations that we should have as teachers at the time of correction is not
the correction as such, but the way in which it is done, when and especially,
the frequency.

It is also important to grant enough time for the student to process the
information and answer the teacher's questions since this can reduce anxiety.
It is about fostering a safe and relaxed environment. The teacher must know
how to understand and interpret the silences of the students, as well as the
repetitions they can make of the questions, with caution. This way of filling the
silence can give us clues about insecurity or as a sign of not being able to
respond adequately.

A related source is the interaction between teachers and students. The

relation between the methodology and teaching style of the teacher and the
learning style of the student can affect learners in their final grades, thus
causing anxiety. The teaching style will determine the teaching profile and
favour, or not, an environment of safety and comfort in the classroom. One of
the most traditional practice is to focus more on the teacher, leaving aside the
needs of the students. Thus, this can be a great source of anxiety if we do not
consider the needs of the students and the effect of affect in the learning
process.

3. A third source of anxiety that the author mentions has to do with evaluation.
The teacher has to take into account that the process and evaluation methods
in the students generate anxiety, especially in those students who have a low

22
 level of self-esteem. Some evaluation methods generate more anxiety than
others.
4. Likewise, novelty operates in similar way. To avoid the negative influence of it,
we must be precise and clear in order to avoid vagueness and doubt. This
vagueness that the teacher can produce is also a factor that causes anxiety in
the classroom, not only at the time of the examination but also during the
methodological processes developed in the classes. Such vagueness can
raise doubts and students may feel disoriented, frustrated and deceived in
their learning process and, even more, if this is reflected in their grades.
5. In the fifth place we find the previous history of the student. With this factor,
the author wants to make reference to the fact that if a student has
experienced previous situations where anxiety has appeared, it can appear
again if the same conditions or similar characteristics occur. This is because it
associates the feeling with the situation previously experienced. In the early
stages of learning it is normal for students to encounter a series of difficulties
due to their lack of ability or due to lack of knowledge of the subject. It is in
this process that the attitude is going to be a determining factor of anxiety
since if, when facing them, you feel distressed, it can cause such unease.
6. Finally, the sixth source is the intrapersonal and interpersonal factors of
students. When we refer to intrapersonal factors, we mean those that have to
do with personality, student self-concept, self-confidence, etc. On the other
hand, interpersonal factors are those that are influenced by other people.
When we talk about the sources that can cause anxiety these two factors
have a very determining character. According to Bailey (in Rubio 2004: 89),
“language anxiety in the intrapersonal and interpersonal fields is normally
generated due to a low level of self-esteem and a high degree of
competitiveness”. Clearly, the personality of the student is a conditioning
factor to feel more or less anxiety.

Some additional variables that determine student anxiety are perfectionism and the
fear of speaking in public. These are conditioned by personality traits that, in turn,
determine the learning style. Chapelle (1986) concluded that “a certain degree of
tolerance favours learning; on the contrary, an excess of tolerance can lead to a
state of passivity, with dire results”. Therefore, the ideal is to favour an intermediate
level of tolerance.

Other aspects to consider are the ability to reflect and the students' impulsiveness.
According to Rubio (2004), “impulsive students would register higher levels of
anxiety, precisely because of that lower control.” On the other hand, it is also worth
highlighting competitiveness and cooperation since the former also influences the
levels of anxiety of students in the classroom. Competitiveness appears in those
students who have an idealized image of their performance even though this that
does not correspond to the reality of the classroom. This error causes them anxiety

23
and directly affects their language learning process and their self-esteem if they fail
to achieve their academic purposes.

On the other hand, and not less important, extraversion, self-concept and
introversion must be taken into account. This last factor that certain students can
present produces more anxiety than extraversion, characteristic of students with a
more outgoing nature, as Rubio (2004) points out “introverted students tend to
experience more anxiety, due, in part, to the continuing feeling of threat produced by
communicative activities”. Regarding the self-concept, authors such as Price (in
Rubio 2004) have studied “a correlation between low self-esteem and the
appearance of anxiety in language learning”. Students are exposed to situations that
can affect their self-concept and their self-perception if they do not know how to
manage themselves well and we, as teachers, should be helpful for the learning
process to flow properly. It is a chain reaction.

If the student has a false negative perception about their intervention, in their
learning process or in their classroom interventions, they will not automatically want
to participate proactively. And the lack of trust causes great consequences in the
student, such as fear, directly affecting performance and academic results, also
psychological effects on self-expression, identity and self-esteem. If we add to this all
the negative attitude of underestimating their learning abilities and skills, this feeds
the situation and further encourages the anxiety situation.

3.4.4 Analysis of the anxiety variable

It was not until the 1970’s that researchers started to investigate on the effects of
anxiety on the learning of foreign languages. The result of these studies, which
continued in the 80’s and 90’s have been rather heterogeneous. Up to the point that
different authors hold quite opposing views. Scovel (1978) argued that anxiety as a
psychological construct is quite difficult to understand; he went on to assert that it
was not related to language acquisition. On the opposite side, we find Ellis (2003)
who directly relates the ability to learn foreign languages to anxiety.

In a similar work, Spielberger (1980) analysed the relationship between intelligence,

the difficulty of a task and anxiety. Spielberger showed that high values of anxiety in
simple tasks are beneficial for learning but, by complicating the task, they are
harmful. He also said that they do not equally affect individuals and that students
with higher IQ are better able to overcome the difficulties. According to Scovel
(1978), some of the variables that have to be taken into account are: the level of
intelligence, the difficulty of the task and the degree of familiarity with the task. When
analysing the different conditions and situations that can cause anxiety and that may
be the key to their learning, it is necessary to subdivide the general concept into two:
facilitating anxiety and debilitating anxiety. Gardner (2004) analyses that "in the early
stages of learning, anxiety is non-existent and only develops as the individual grows
and lives negative experiences."

24
Other works analysed the relationship between anxiety and aptitude in the native
language. Rubio (2004) considers that “there is equivalence between the ability to
learn in the native language and the ability to learn in the foreign language.” The
skills and abilities that are held in the native language will be the basis for supporting
the learning of the foreign language. Such correlation may be conditioned by anxiety
since, the lower the level of oral and written skills, the greater the anxiety, because of
worse results. It could be said that is a process in which linguistic and anxiety levels
reciprocally feed into each other.

One of the least studied areas, but not less important, is the relationship between
student gender and anxiety. Authors such as Campbell (1990) show that the female
gender tends to have more anxiety than the male, although the same author states
that it may be due more to the form of expressiveness and the cause is excluded by
female physiology.

3.4.5 Situations that produce anxiety

In this section, we will examine the concept of pathological anxiety and will identify
the concrete circumstances where the anxiety of students and teachers come from.
We will also detail the recognizable effects and consequences of such anxiety in the
teaching-learning process.

3.4.6 Situations that originate anxiety

If we wanted to single out the precise origin of the students' anxiety in the English
class, we would be making a mistake, since it is impossible to isolate only one factor
due to the fact that there are several interlinked reasons and causes that can
originate it.

Being as it is a multi-faceted condition, we should seek to improve the teaching

methodology as a whole to reduce anxiety. An investigation carried out by Pérez
concluded that “It would be necessary for teachers to take these anxiety levels into
account and use methods that make that these are reduced, so that the students
feel more relaxed and less pressured. In this way the students would gain
confidence and the results would likely be higher.” (Pérez, 2015: 40).

One recurring circumstance that causes anxiety is coping with exams, especially oral
tests. Eysenck & Keane (2000) explained that “in the classroom many students are
afraid to speak in public, there is also a feeling of vulnerability when speaking in a
foreign language since there is a fear of making a mistake and being judged by the
teacher or the rest of the students”.

Oral interactions in the classroom generate a lot of anxiety because of the fear of
failing. Additionally, they can produce insomnia, nausea and headaches. When a
student does not know how to orally communicate correctly in the L2, and compares
their performance with that of other classmates, the result is the appearance of a lot
of distress. This is expressed, at the time of performing a particular oral task, by the
use of pauses, delays, hesitations. A similar circumstance is when the student has

25
difficulties to understand the grammar that is being explained in the classroom. For
the student who does not understand it asking for clarification can be a huge
challenge.

Another cause of anxiety that is often ignored in the classroom and that generates
uneasiness, is writing. We can observe how students feel a certain trepidation about
it. As teachers of English, we must set ourselves objectives around this topic and
establish a series of techniques and methodologies that allow students not to suffer
nervousness and/or frustration at the time of written expression or a written guided
activity.

Different studies have pointed out that promoting self-confidence, creating positive
attitudes toward committing mistakes and peer correction are the most successful
strategies for reducing anxiety levels .It is imperative not to neglect the studies and
investigations of all those causes that produce this anxiety as well as the resulting
recommendations to reduce the phenomenon.

The main problem of anxiety is that it can be involuntarily lengthened and intensified
over time. This circumstance makes it become something much more serious than it
initially was. There is growing evidence that if discomfort is left unattended, it can
end up causing a trauma in the student.

The feeling of anxiety becomes pathological through three different models. The first
model is established when a person joins any type of thought to a memory that has
generated trauma. This thought becomes toxic. The second is based on the
observation of patterns (when children witness certain behaviours at home, they can
reproduce specific conducts) and on the verbal aspect (if the parent overreacts to
certain situations, the child will associate these moments with nervousness and
anxiety). The last and third model consists of inherited fears and innate concerns of
the person: fear of heights, animals, death, etc. These fears fall into the category of
pathological anxiety, a disorder which does not yet present sufficiently rational
explanatory basis.

A related problem of anxiety in the language classroom is that when you suffer it, it is
quite complicated to improve, thrive and learn in class. Some of the main causes
could be poor performance, shame to censorship and / or correction and the feeling
of inferiority.

Currently, many people who suffer from anxiety do not resort to specific professional
help because of their ignorance and the poorly conceived stigma resulting from
going to a psychologist. “It is very important that these taboos be eliminated to favour
the inclusion of any person in a process that helps solve certain problems that affect
health” (Ehrman et al., 2003).

26
3.4.7 Techniques for the prevention and reduction of anxiety
As it has been seen before, it is very important that the teacher can manage and
implement the necessary strategies to deal with and/or prevent different socio-
affective problems that can affect students in the English classroom.

We should know how to find the methodological balance that includes and
addresses the diversity in the classroom, bearing in mind that this task is quite
complicated. Evidence of this, is the fact that while there are some authors who have
done studies about this topic, the truth is that there is no perfect single technique.
The reality of the classroom is one in which no two students are alike. Therefore,
what works in one case does not have to work in another.

Young (1991) proposes four techniques that seek to treat anxiety related to
interpersonal and intrapersonal factors in the English classroom. The main objective
proposed by the author is that students recognize those emotions that cause anxiety
or discomfort, such as fear, and learn how to interpret, in a more realistic way, those
situations that produce such emotions and feelings, facing them rather than avoiding
them. The techniques proposed by Young (1991) are the following:

 Students must verbalize and write their fears. This technique will allow them,
once they have shared their emotions with the rest, to realize that they are not
the only ones who have such feeling of uneasiness or worries. One of the
main disadvantages that we can find with this technique is that by writing
about these fears, students may feel vulnerable due to the fact that they
recognize and manifest them, thus producing the opposite effect than what we
are trying to achieve. Therefore, it is important that if this technique is carried
out, it should be done anonymously, so that students do not have to reveal
their fears in front of their peers.
 Use an “anxiety chart” to rate the anxiety they feel at a particular time in class
and throughout the year. Students, with this graphic, will be able to observe
that at different times when the graphic has been made, they have not felt the
same degree of anxiety. This will allow them to analyse, in a more realistic
way, their fears and concerns.
 Journal of experiences: through this technique, students can recognize all
those feelings that produce vulnerability and learn how to cope with them to
continue working towards a realistic goal.
 Use positive self-talk: This method consists in students talking to themselves,
in a positive rather than negative way, using encouraging phrases that can
make them thrive by stimulating them to manage those wrong ideas and/or
false conceptions they may have about learning English.

Researchers Hauck and Hurd from the Open University (UK) acknowledge the
significance of these tactics and produce a list of 11 strategies used to deal with
language anxiety. Among them, the mention “giving oneself a reward or treat when

27
one does well” or “being aware of physical signs of stress that might affect language
learning”. (Hauck and Hurd, 2005).

These techniques have to be carried out regularly for them to be successful. It is the
teacher guidance in putting them into practice which will help students counteract
those unwanted conceptions in order to facilitate their learning process.

In relation to anxiety produced by the interaction between the teacher and the
student, two of the most frequent issues are the correction of errors and the overall
teacher attitude towards the student.

In reference to the correction of the errors one of the most recommended techniques
is to ask again or repeat what the student has said but in the correct way. This
technique does not make the student feel mocked or ridiculed and allows them to
recognize the mistake made in a pedagogical way without generating apprehension,
fear or anxiety. Another useful technique would be to congratulate communication
between students, regardless of grammar incorrection. This will make them
understand that it is not only important how something is said but what is said, that
is, the message we want to convey.

Similarly, in relation to the overall teacher attitude, it must be said that teachers
should offer encouraging reinforcement in the classroom thus becoming a positive
companion during this teaching-learning process. Accordingly, the manners and the
sense of humour of the teacher will become key factors for this learning process to
develop successfully. Should the teacher have difficulties to be amusing or charming
due to their personality traits, a possible alternative would be to make students work
in pairs, in this way anxious students can rely on the help of a trusted peer, thus
reversing the negative effects caused by their anxiety.

It is important to identify which are the most appropriate strategies to avoid the
appearance of anxiety in the classroom. This will enable us to carry out activities
more focused on the realities and emotional needs of students through games or
with motivational activities. Hence, it will be easier for students to think, gradually, in
the foreign language rather than in the mother tongue. When we consider games as
a classroom activity, we cannot limit ourselves to traditional games. Nowadays there
are different technology-enhanced gaming tools that are much more motivating and
attractive for students (Genial; Edpuzzle; Kahoot; Educaplay) 4. Similarly, we can use
problem solving activities such as escape-rooms which can be more appealing and
pleasant for students. Additionally, if a student makes mistakes while participating in
a new gaming activity, these mistakes are more easily excused.

However, we must be careful and be attentive to the incorporation of games in the

classroom since they can be accompanied by an excessive unwanted
competitiveness which can in turn result in the appearance of the undesirable
4
Genial: www.genial.ly; Edpuzzle: www.edpuzzle.com; Kahoot: www.kahoot.com; Educaplay:
www.educaplay.com

28
anxiety. We must be especially careful with those activities that may be more subject
to nervousness and frustration, such as those that require oral interactions. These
situations can cause the opposite effect to what we would like in the English
classroom. We must make a methodological adaptation and follow-up with
continuous observational registration, to avoid unhealthy practices.

One of the alternatives to avoid these undesired anxious situations would be to make
a preliminary instance of the activity in a smaller group or in a cooperative group. It
will make them feel more secure and relaxed. It is important that the teacher can
adapt, methodologically, some of these tasks that cause more insecurity, such as
those previously mentioned oral communication activities. In fact it is important to do
it because we must offer students the strategies and tools to overcome the fears
they have towards this kind of activity so that they can modify their attitudes for their
academic benefit.

Young (1991) sets out some tips to deal with the feeling of unease that the
evaluation process produces. For example, the exams should reflect the contents
that have been worked in the classroom; with the approach we have given them, to
avoid feelings of vagueness and confusion in the students. The teacher can display
beforehand the contents that will be included in the test in order to reduce the
nervousness, frustration and anxiety that the exam can produce.

3.4.8 How anxiety hinders learning

Some experts mention that “a certain degree of anxiety is beneficial to maintain
motivation in the English classroom” (Ehrman et al., 2003), however, many studies
carried out in relation to this topic demonstrate the opposite, i.e. that anxiety hinders
learning by the mental blockade that appears in the mind of the students. In fact, it is
shown that recurrent episodes of anxiety generate insecurity and this in turn can
result in trauma in relation to the use and learning of the foreign language. According
to (Ehrman et al., 2003), the psychological symptoms and effects on students
suffering from anxiety are:

 Concern.
 Fear.
 Excessive sweating.
 Lack of concentration.
 Memory loss.
 Palpitations.
 Avoidance of the situation by missing school.
 Mind lock.
 Difficulties in memorization.
 Communication problems during class.
 Lower oral and written comprehension.
 Incorrect grammar correction.

29
  Making short and poor compositions.
 Unjustified errors.
 Short-term memory loss.
 Distorted beliefs about learning.

It is not surprising that a student who is suffering from anxiety and fear of language
learning starts missing schools or even drops out. Facing the circumstances that
produce the anxiety is an overwhelming task and the student shows disease
symptoms prior to the situation that is generating anxiety and trauma. Eysenck &
Keane (2000) specified in their studies that “a student suffering from anxiety will
have a much weaker learning compared to his other classmates”.

A large number of students who suffer anxiety end up dropping all those objectives
and goals they had in relation to learning the foreign language. For a person
suffering from anxiety, those objectives are considered unattainable, which is
synonymous of failure. As teachers of English we must avoid that our methodology
can produce all these conditions. In the event that we find an equal or similar
situation we must alternatives specially for those students who have been victims of
a poor methodology. It is essential that those students forget what they have
experienced and renovate the motivation that will make them learn again, in an
environment that does not generate anxiety.

3.4.9 How anxiety affects students

When a student suffers from anxiety there are direct consequences on their mental
health. The main causes that create student anxiety are different. The strategies and
skills that we as adults can have to manage stressing situations are not the same as
what our students possess. However, even though they as teenagers are intrinsically
embedded with anxiety, they should also be able to manage to reduce it because all
situations and moments that can generate stress and anxiety directly affect their
daily lives and life in the classroom.

When the situation becomes unsustainable for the student, this can be the beginning
of a chain of negative events. It is possible for the student who feels fear and anxiety
to avoid going to school, staying home to elude it. This situation generates more
anxiety and rejection, from friends and family, because the student cannot complete
their studies. Another consequence of the chain of events may be that many young
people seek to calm this anxiety with the use of alcohol and drugs. It should be
remembered that their social skills and strategies are not those of adults, which
makes it difficult for them to face this situation.

There is no doubt that this situation of consumption of toxic substances is dangerous

for young people because it has a direct impact on their health. Taken to the
extreme, it can become a complicated situation if the victim enters a vicious circle
from which it very difficult to get out without professional and family help. Besides, if
we consider the economic aspect, not all those who suffer from this condition can

30
pay for professional help. In addition, we must continue working to change the
stigmatized concept that we have in adolescence of professional help since not
everyone will want to receive it. This will directly affect the recovery time of the
student and may become lifelong.

All this, if it is not approached with time and with the speed that this type of situation
requires on the part of all the agents involved, the students can end up suffering
depressions that can be extended over time and can generate rejection and failure;
both personal and school.

3.5 Strategies to reduce anxiety in the classroom

After analysing the main variables that produce anxiety, it is intended, in this section,
to establish a series of methodological measures aimed at reducing anxiety during
the learning of the foreign language.

The role played by the teacher in reducing anxiety is very important. To do this we
must identify where it comes from and eliminate the cause whenever possible. It is
the responsibility of the English teacher to offer strategies and tools to the students
so that they can face anxiety and overcome that circumstance that harms them in
their learning process. As teachers we must seek the success of every single
student in the group. A failure in one of them will be a failure of the teacher, too.

To make this possible the methodology plays a very important role. Depending on
how the teacher acts, it may have a greater or lesser effect on reducing the anxiety
of the pupil. The environment that the teacher should favour must be welcoming and
trustworthy. One where students are not afraid to make mistakes and laugh at the
mistakes made since that is part of the learning process.

Another of the fundamental things is the relationship of respect that must exist
between the teacher and the student. The adult should always treat pupils with
respect and understand that students must be able to express their concerns in a
safe, cooperative and stress-free environment. One especial circumstance to take
into account is the oral interaction; it is important not to force the communicative
situation if it is perceived that the student is not yet prepared to engage in this kind of
exchange; students will eventually progress in this interaction in a natural way when
they feel safe and accompanied by both the adult and their peers.

To reduce anxiety, it is essential to promote students' self-esteem and confidence

during the performance of English activities, as well as to establish achievable goals,
i.e. the task should be only a little beyond where the student is then. This in turn, will
facilitate one of the teacher’s most important duties, to accompany students
throughout the entire process so that they always know how to proceed.

It is a chain reaction because if there is an environment of trust, with good positive

reinforcements based on a significant reward system, students will not be afraid to
make mistakes. Consequently, classroom learning will occur more quickly as they

31
will be more motivated to use the language in class and their desire to learn will be
increasingly significant.

We will enhance motivation and confidence, among other positive outcomes, by

setting transferable learning objectives that encourage students and by providing
tailored teaching environments that suit the students’ individual learning needs. In
this sense, a system that is based on teaching competences rather than the mastery
of facts seems to be more successful in doing so. Hence, we can argue that
Competency-Based Education (CBE) facilitates the task of adapting the learning
activity to the individual needs of the student. By creating technology enhanced
teaching materials under the theoretical framework of Gamification, teachers can
foster motivation and interest in their students. (Perea, 2020). Cooperative learning,
profusely used in CBE, is another strategy that has proved successful in reducing
anxiety in the foreign language classroom. Nagahashi evidenced “that
Communication apprehension, in particular, may be diminished by providing
opportunities for students to develop speaking skills in small, supportive groups of
their peers. (Nagahashi, 2007).

4 From theory to practice: study on the anxiety influence in English class in

high school students

4.1 Procedure
In order to verify our initial approaches, a research has been carried out. Subjects
are English students of compulsory secondary education and Baccalaureate. One of
the details of the study is that students are asked for age, gender and nationality.
These variables are going to be taken into account. This will help us to study and
conclude if these variables influence the results we can obtain. The researcher
Rubio (2004), an expert in this topic, affirms that the anxiety factor has to see
according to the gender of the student and females are more prone to suffer it than
the males.

The first two groups of students attended the Mare Janer and Sant Ermengol
schools in the Principality of Andorra. The schools are part of the Spanish school
system and are managed by the Conserjería de Educación de España en Andorra, a
department of the Spanish Embassy that coordinates the activities of 5 educational
establishments. One group of students attended ESO (CSE) while the other group
was formed by Baccalaureate students.

The tests were completed by students belonging to the four different levels of
compulsory secondary education, and also by the two high school groups
corresponding to the two levels of the post obligatory stage. To complete the
comparative study of the students of the different schools systems in the Principality
of Andorra, the same test was completed by an equal sample of students of the
Andorran educational system as well as the analogous students of the French
educational system.

32
4.2 Objectives
4.2.1 Main objective
 Check to what extent the anxiety situation is taken into account in compulsory
secondary education and high school students and how to prevent it with a
methodology adapted to the diversity of the English classroom.

4.2.2 Operative objectives

 Analyse the anxiety construct and the main factors that cause it.
 Distinguish the types of anxiety that can occur in the language classroom.
 Examine the different psychological and pedagogical theories that relate
foreign language learning and anxiety.
 Investigate the factors and variables that accompany anxiety.
 Understand the reality of the language classroom and how it affects student
learning.
 Study the different teaching methodologies that can be implemented in the
language classroom and how they shape the teaching-learning process.
 Provide strategic tools for teachers to prevent the appearance of anxiety and
intervene in the language classroom.
 Draw conclusions and formulate the relevant pedagogical discussion.

4.3 Technique used

To prepare the questionnaire, we have taken into consideration those questions that
were most relevant in accordance with the object of study of the work, and the most
representative for the students of the different educational centres. The data
obtained will serve to provide correlations. The data obtained will serve to test our
hypotheses and continue working on future research in relation to learning the
English language.

Using a quantitative methodology, the questionnaire asked students to indicate their

age, gender and nationality. All responses are analysed and interpreted according to
the initial statements and related to the topic of work. It is especially important to
analyse and identify the probable relationships and correlations between the anxiety
factor and the different variables mentioned above.

However, all data that does not fall within the range of the work and, especially,
those records that can be mistaken because they do not relate to the object should
be discarded. The study, in order to be more significant, has been extended to
educational centres of the three educational systems of Andorra: the Andorran
educational system, the French educational system and the Spanish educational
system.

4.4 Results
Below are the results that have been obtained in this research. These are analysed
in the next section.

33
Figure 2
Class Anxiety. 1st course Baccalaureate. Spanish high school (Perea, C., 2020)

90
81.56
80

70

60 61.89

50
Anxiety

43.43
38.13
40
31.64 36.77
30.25
30
19.29
17.47
20

10

0
Communicative apprehension Fear of feedback by peers and teachers Fear of language tests

Figure 3
Class Anxiety. 2nd course Baccalaureate. Spanish high school (Perea, C., 2020)

100

90
86.43
80

70

60 60.2
Anxiety

50 44.57

40 41.86
37.71
30.62
29.58
30
17.92
20 19.79

10

0
Communicative apprehension Fear of feedback by peers and teachers Fear of language tests

34
Figure 4
Class Anxiety. 1st and 2nd course Baccalaureate. Spanish high school (Perea, C.,
2020)

200
180.21 184.27
180

160

140

120
Anxiety

100 94.36 92.2 92.07

85.85
80

60

40

20

0
1st 2nd

Figure 5
Class Anxiety. 1st course Baccalaureate. Andorran high school (Perea, C., 2020)

100

90
86.98
80

70
65.36
60
Anxiety

50 49.72

40 41.57
33.73
31.63 37.26
30
25.56
20
16.01
10

0
Communicative apprehension Fear of feedback by peers and teachers Fear of language tests

35
Figure 6
Class Anxiety. 2nd course Baccalaureate. Andorran high school (Perea, C., 2020)

90

80
77.37
70

60 58.91

50
47.9
Anxiety

40
37.34
30.3
28.61
30 29.47
21
20 16.34

10

0
Communicative apprehension Fear of feedback by peers and teachers Fear of language tests

Figure 7
Class Anxiety. 1st and 2nd course Baccalaureate. Andorran high school (Perea, C.,
2020)

250

200 193.91
173.62

150
Anxiety

109.01
99.2
100
84.9
74.42

50

0
1st 2nd

36
Figure 8
Andorran educational system. Communicative apprehension. Andorran high school
of CSE (Perea, C., 2020)

80 75.55

70 66.34
63.82 63.88
60

50

38.67 Males
40 36.88 38
Females
34.15 33.5
30.38 Total
29.67 28.34
30

20

10

0
1st ESO 2nd ESO 3rd ESO 4th ESO

Figure 9
Andorran educational system. Fear of feedback by peers or teachers. Andorran high
school of CSE (Perea, C., 2020)

100

90 85.88

80
68.88
70

60
49.29 Males
50 Females
44.06
40.59 Total
40

30 25.78
23.51 22.2621.8
20.9219.67
20 17

10

0
1st ESO 2nd ESO 3rd ESO 4th ESO

37
Figure 10
Andorran educational system. Fear of English tests. Andorran high school of CSE
(Perea, C., 2020)

120

104.02
100 95.62
88.88 89.34

80

Males
60 54.01 Females
50.01 49.78 48.55
45.84 46.2 Total
43.14
40.33
40

20

0
1st ESO 2nd ESO 3rd ESO 4th ESO

Figure 11
Spanish educational system. Communicative apprehension. Spanish high school of
CSE (Perea, C., 2020)

80
70.53
70 65.65 65.61
62.06
60

50
Males
40 36.51 Females
34.96 34.02 35.3
30.69 32.21 Total
30.31 29.85
30

20

10

0
1st ESO 2nd ESO 3rd ESO 4th ESO

38
Figure 12
Spanish educational system. Fear of feedback by peers or teachers. Spanish high
school of CSE (Perea, C., 2020)

50

45 42.31 42.89 41.91

40 39.37

35

30
Males
25 22.84 22.63 Females
21.2120.7 21.36
19.47 20.26 Total
20 18.01

15

10

0
1st ESO 2nd ESO 3rd ESO 4th ESO

Figure 13
Spanish educational system. Fear of English tests. Spanish high school of CSE
(Perea, C., 2020)

120

100 95.5 95.41

88.17
82.2
80

Males
60 Females
49.25 49.3 Total
43.6744.5 46.25 46.11
40.3441.86
40

20

0
1st ESO 2nd ESO 3rd ESO 4th ESO

39
Figure 14
French educational system. Communicative apprehension. French high school of
CSE (Perea, C., 2020)

80
71.63
70 67.09 65.49

60

49.63
50
Males
40 35.7535.88 Females
34.85 35.12
32.24 Total
30.37
30
24.7324.9

20

10

0
5ème 4ème 3ème 2nde

Figure 15
French educational system. Fear of feedback by peers or teachers. French high
school of CSE (Perea, C., 2020)

60

50 49.27

40.31
40
35.63
32.42
Males
30 Females
24.0125.26 Total
21 20.36
19.31
20 16.8215.6
15.27

10

0
5ème 4ème 3ème 2nde

40
Figure 16
French educational system. Fear of English tests. French high school of CSE
(Perea, C., 2020)

120

100.4
100
85.37 86.64
80.04
80

Males
60 Females
50.5949.76
45.15 46.46 Total
40.4439.6 40.22 40.18
40

20

0
5ème 4ème 3ème 2nde

Figure 17
Class Anxiety. 1st course of Baccalaureate. French high school (Perea, C., 2020)

100

90
86.68
80

70

60 58.29
Anxiety

50 44.25
42.43
40 40.46
32
30
26.29
23
20
17.46
10

0
Communicative apprehension Fear of feedback by peers and teachers Fear of language tests

41
Figure 18
Class Anxiety. 2nd course of Baccalaureate. French high school. (Perea, C., 2020)

120

100
96.68

80

67.82
Anxiety

60
52.5
41.26 44.18
40
31.82
36
22
19.26
20

0
Communicative apprehension Fear of feedback by peers and teachers Fear of language tests

Figure 19
Class Anxiety. 1st and 2nd year Baccalaureate. French high school. (Perea, C., 2020)

250

205.76
200
185.43

150
Anxiety

110.5
99.25 95.26
100 86.18

50

0
1ère Terminale

42
Figure 20
Communicative apprehension in CSE students. (Perea, C., 2020)

80 75.55
70.5371.63
70 65.65 66.3465.6167.09
63.82 63.88 65.49
62.06
60

49.63
50
Andorran system
40 Spanish system
French system
30

20

10

0
1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year

Figure 21
Fear of feedback by peers or teachers in CSE students. (Perea, C., 2020)

100

90 85.88

80

70

60
49.29 49.27 Andorran system
50 Spanish system
42.31 42.89 41.9140.31 44.06
40.59 39.37 French system
40 35.63
32.42
30

20

10

0
1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year

43
Figure 22
Fear of English tests in CSE students. (Perea, C., 2020)

120

104.02
100.4
100 95.6295.5 95.41
88.17 88.88 89.34
85.37 86.64
80.04 82.2
80

Andorran system
60 Spanish system
French system

40

20

0
1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year

Figure 23
Communicative apprehension in Baccalaureate students. (Perea, C., 2020)

70
67.82
68

66 65.36

64
61.89
62 Andorran system
60.2 Spanish system
60 French system
58.91
58.29
58

56

54

52
1st year/1ère 2nd year/Terminale

44
Figure 24
Fear of feedback by peers or teachers in Baccalaureate students. (Perea, C., 2020)

42 41.57
41.26
41
40.46

40

39
Andorran system
38 37.71 Spanish system
37.34
French system
37 36.77

36

35

34
1st year/1ère 2nd year/Terminale

Figure 25
Fear of language tests in Baccalaureate students. (Perea, C. 2020)

120

100 96.68
86.98 86.68 86.43
81.56
80 77.37

Andorran system
60 Spanish system
French system

40

20

0
1st year/1ère 2nd year/Terminale

45
Figure 26
Anxiety in Baccalaureate students. (Perea, C., 2020)

210
205.76

200
193.91

190
185.43 184.27
180.21
Anxiety

180
173.62

170

160

150
1st year/1ère 2nd year/Terminale

4.5 Discussion
As we have explained throughout our work, which is consistent with matching
studies carried out by Rubio (2004), speaking in public and communicating with
others in a language other than mother tongue is one of the greatest sources of
anxiety. On the other hand, the writing in a language different from the usual one
generates a lot of rejection, known as written apprehension. Different studies have
been published in reference to this term and it is interesting to mention the
questionnaire made in 1975 that aims to assess the degree of anxiety of this
phenomenon. It is not surprising that we find a certain hostility towards the writing in
English since it requires greater control and precise organization, unlike oral
communication and expression. It will be up to us to find those strategies and
methods that can reverse this situation in our language classrooms.

The data that we have collected seems to corroborate the studies of Rubio (2004)
where he mentions that anxiety changes according to sex, females being more likely
to suffer from it than males and also being different in how to deal with these
circumstances and factors.

When analysing the results, we can also examine how the use of communication
and expression in English becomes increasingly awkward as years go by. The
shame factor has a lot to do with it, since at an earlier age people are not as afraid of
social ridicule/disapproval as when they are teenagers. In this way we can speculate
that as age progresses, anxiety increases accordingly.

46
Discussion Figure 2: Students who score above 120 points reflect a high intensity
anxiety. We can see that the group has a medium intensity anxiety in every category
(<120). All in all, analysing all the categories together, we can highlight the high level
of the group’s anxiety (>120) (Figure 2). At the same time, we can consider that
females have a high level of anxiety in this group and in all the categories. It could be
because of their fear to do or say something that could turn out to be an absurd
remark or an appalling situation.

Discussion Figure 3: Students who score above 120 points reflect a high intensity
anxiety. We can see that the group has a medium intensity anxiety in every category
(<120). All in all, analysing all the categories together, we can consider the high level
of the group’s anxiety (>120) (Figure 3). At the same time, we can consider that
males have a high level of anxiety in Category 1 and Category 2. Females have a
high level in Category 3. It could be because of their fear to do or say something that
could turn out to be an absurd remark or an appalling situation. In addition, we can
consider the pressure to be in the last year before college.

Discussion Figure 4: We can see how both groups have a high level of anxiety.
Specifically, we can highlight that the second-year of baccalaureate group slightly
exceeds the first group. Surely, because of the pressure of the final exams and the
importance that they give to such tests. In the second group it is the male students
who have more anxiety in comparison to the female students, the most prominent, in
the first year group. In both groups, category three is the most predominant, so we
can say that both groups are anxious in relation to language exams.

Discussion Figure 5: Students who score between 70-120 points reflect a medium
intensity anxiety (<120). All in all, analysing all the categories together, we can
highlight the high level of the group’s anxiety (>120). At the same time, we can
consider that females have a high level of anxiety in this group and in all the
categories. It could be because of their fear to do or say something that could turn
out to be an absurd remark or an appalling situation.

Discussion Figure 6: Students who score above 120 points reflect a high intensity
anxiety. We can see that the group has a medium intensity anxiety in every category
(<120). All in all, and analysing all the categories together, we can point out the high
level of group’s anxiety (>120) (Figure 6). At the same time, females have a high
level of anxiety in all the categories. It could be because of their fear to do or say
something that could turn out to be an absurd remark or an appalling situation. In
addition, we can consider the pressure to be in the last year before college.

Discussion Figure 7: We can see how both groups have a high level of anxiety.
Specifically, we can highlight that the first-year baccalaureate group exceeds the
second group. Probably because of the pressure of the exams, the type of
baccalaureate (international baccalaureate) and the importance that they give to
such tests. In the second group females have more anxiety being the same as in

47
the first-year group. In both groups, category three is the most predominant, so we
can say that both groups are anxious about language exams.

Discussion Figure 8: The figures fall within standard ranges (<120). It is interesting
to highlight the average anxiety in the communicative apprehension of the 1st group
of CSE which may be due to the change of primary education to secondary. It should
also be noted that females in 3rd group of CSE stand out more than boys. It is a very
significant value that requires further analysis.

Discussion Figure 9: All values are within normal ranges (<75) except the 3rd
group of CSE. There is a very significant change in this category. We can assume
that there is an important problem with the group that needs further consideration.
Females are very anxious to the feedback of the group and/or the teacher’s
feedback, too.

Discussion Figure 10: The figures fall within standard ranges (<120). It is
worthwhile to point out the average anxiety in the 1st group of CSE which may be
due to the change of primary education to secondary plus the final exams. It should
also be noted that females in 3rd CSE group stand out more than males, as the
other categories. It is a very significant value that requires further consideration

Discussion Figure 11 and Figure 12: All values are within normal ranges (<75). It
is interesting to notice the average anxiety in the 2 nd group of CSE (Figure 11). It
should also be noted that females stand out more than males in all the courses. It is
a significant value that needs further study.

Discussion Figure 13: The figures fall within standard ranges (<120). It is
worthwhile to point out the average anxiety in the 2 nd and 3rd group of CSE. It should
also be noted that females stand out more than males in all the other categories and
groups. It is a substantial value that calls for further study.

Discussion Figure 14 and Figure 15: The parameters fall within standard ranges
(<75). It should be noticed the average anxiety in the 2 nd course of CSE (Figure 14).
It should also be noted that females stand out more than males in all the courses. It
is a significant value to take in account.

Discussion Figure 16: The figures fall within standard ranges (<120). Please notice
the average anxiety in the 2 nd course of CSE. It should also be noted that this group
is very anxious.

Discussion Figure 17: Scores in students who show ratings between 70-120 points
reflect a medium intensity anxiety (<120). All in all, scoring all the categories
together, we can point out the high level of group’s anxiety (>120) (Figure 17). At the
same time, we can consider that females have a high level of anxiety in this group
and in all the categories. It could be because of their fear to do or say something that
could turn out to be an absurd remark or an appalling situation.

48
Discussion Figure 18: Scores in students who show ratings above 120 points
reflect a high intensity anxiety. We can see that the group has a medium intensity
anxiety in every category (<120). All in all, scoring all the categories together, we can
point out the high level of group’s anxiety (>120) (Figure 18). At the same time, we
can consider that females have a high level of anxiety in all the categories. It could
be because of their fear to do or say something that could turn out to be an absurd
remark or an appalling situation. In addition, we can consider the pressure to be the
final course.

Discussion Figure 19: We can see how both groups have a high level of anxiety.
Specifically, we can highlight that the 2 nd course of Baccalaureate group exceeds the
first group. Probably, because of the pressure of the final exams and also the
importance that they give to such tests. In addition to the exams that they have to
complete during the course. In both groups females have more anxiety. In both
groups, category three is the most predominant, so we can say that both groups are
anxious about language exams.

Discussion Figure 20: The parameters fall within normal ranges. (<120). Please
notice the average anxiety in the 1 st group of CSE of the Andorran system and the
change that appears between the 1 st year and the 2nd year of the French system. The
Spanish system has average results.

Discussion Figure 21: It is important to highlight the 3rd group of CSE of the
Andorran system. It is a very anxious group. The Andorran system has the highest
level of anxiety in this category. The rest of the systems show average figures.

Discussion Figure 22: It is important to highlight the 1st group of CSE of the
Andorran system and the 2nd group of the French system. They are very anxious
groups. The Andorran system has the highest level of anxiety in this category. The
rest of the systems show average figures.

Discussion Figure 23: The comparison of category 1 shows how the Andorran
system (<75) and the French (<75) are the systems with the students with more
anxiety in the first course and in the second respectively.

Discussion Figure 24: The comparison of category 2 shows how the Andorran
system (>75) and the French (>75) are the systems with the students with more
anxiety in the first and in the second courses respectively.

Discussion Figure 25: The comparison of category 3 shows how the Andorran
system (>75) and the French (>75) are the systems with the students with more
anxiety in the first and in the second courses respectively.

Discussion Figure 26: The comparison shows how the Andorran system (>120)
and the French (>120) are the systems with the students with more anxiety in the
first and in the second courses respectively.

49
 5. Conclusions

After analysing and interpreting the data obtained in the present study we can
confirm the importance of socio-affective factors when learning a foreign language
and more specifically, English. However, in the teaching-learning process of a
language that is not the mother tongue, we cannot classify as anxiety all those other
negative emotions that may appear in the context where the intervention takes place.
Moreover, they should not be ignored, since they also play an important role in the
academic development of students.

We can observe that negative emotions acquire a higher percentage level in the
question that refers to the situation when students do not understand the teacher.
But we also find them in the question that measures how they feel when these same
students make mistakes at the time of expressing themselves in the foreign
language. Definitely, it is important that the teacher knows these affective variables
in the process of learning the foreign language to avoid situations that may hinder
the normal learning process of the student.

The analysis of the data seems to confirm that Competency Based Education is
better prepared to deal with today challenges than traditional educational
approaches due to the fact that it can provide differentiated support based on the
individual student learning needs.

Society is changing very rapidly; students nowadays are different from what they
used to be a mere 10 years ago. We should ask ourselves if educational
methodologies and practices are changing with the times. Teachers should adapt
accordingly, both psychologically and academically to be able to deal with these
circumstances. That is why teacher training becomes of the utmost importance.

Teachers should be trained to master the social skills that allow them to deal with
those more conflictive students that challenge their authority in the classroom.
Easiness of access to information and skilful use of ICT devices and tools, though
mainly for entertainment purposes, produce in some students the wrong impression
that they know more than the teacher.

The teaching profession has traditionally required a good set of socio-affective skills.
Nowadays, with the shift of the centre of attention from the teacher to the student,
socio-affective competence on the part of the teacher to be able to solve
interpersonal conflicts or handle high levels of stress is one of the most necessary
set of abilities that teachers must master. Experience and above all training, should
be a priority for educational authorities in order to provide teachers with the
appropriate means to face the challenges of our XXI century classrooms.

Furthermore, specific training on computer-enhanced materials design and

development, as well as ICT tools and resources (Genial; Edpuzzle; Educaplay;

50
Kahoot) will provide teachers with the necessary means to plan and create materials
and teaching experiences that will increase not only the motivation of students but
also the satisfaction of teachers themselves.

An expected outcome of these training should be to change a situation all too

common in our society today, that is to repeatedly attribute teachers a student’s
school failure while never granting them most students’ success; a situation that
generates a lot of psychological wear and tear and that can be one of the causes of
the anxiety that teachers suffer today.

Teaching, as we know it today, must be enriched. We must continue to educate

more globally and holistically. Furthermore, it is necessary to go deeper into the
socio-affective dimension, although much progress has been made in recent years.
The student becomes the protagonist of the educational action, with its needs and
attention. We must adapt the methodology to the reality of our classrooms while
attending to those most affective and personal reasons that can affect the learning
process of our students. We must find the balance between the relationship of
cognitive and affective components.

On the other hand, by placing the perspective of the student as the core of study, we
have been able to deepen the incidence of affective variables and factors related to
anxiety in the teaching-learning process in foreign languages. On the other hand,
theoretical methodological data for the teacher and strategies to know how to act in
possible cases that may occur in the language classroom have been provided.

All in all, this study has allowed us to understand more clearly how the anxiety
variable affects our students and how it operates in the teaching-learning process in
the English classroom. In other words, it has granted us a general picture of the
educational reality in the Principality of Andorra. But more importantly, this research
into the socio-affective variables in education has provided us the opportunity to
identify, use and recommend more effective methodological strategies.

51
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5 Annexes

5.1 Annexe 1: FLCAS Questionnaire

Foreign Language Class Anxiety Scale (FLCAS)

Age: 12 – 13 – 14 – 15 – 16 –17 – 18

Gender: Man | Woman

Nationality: Andorran | Spanish | Portuguese | French | Other

Answer the questionnaire with a cross (X) and be sincere, please!

1. I never feel quite sure of myself when I am speaking in my foreign language

class.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

2. I do not worry about making mistakes in language class.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

3. I tremble when I know that I am going to be called on in language class.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

4. It frightens me when I do not understand what the teacher is saying in the

foreign language.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

56
5. It wouldn't bother me at all to take more foreign language classes.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

6. During language class, I find myself thinking about things that have nothing
to do with the course.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

7. I keep thinking that the other students are better at languages than I am.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

8. I am usually at ease during tests in my language class.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

9. I start to panic when I have to speak without preparation in language class.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

10. I worry about the consequences of failing my foreign language class.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

57
11. I do not understand why some people get so upset over foreign language
classes.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

12. In language class, I can get so nervous I forget things I know.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

13. It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my language class.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

14. I would not be nervous speaking the foreign language with native
speakers.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

15. I get upset when I do not understand what the teacher is correcting.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

16. Even if I am well prepared for language class, I feel anxious about it.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

58
17. I often feel like not going to my language class.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

18. I feel confident when I speak in foreign language class.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

19. I am afraid that my language teacher is ready to correct every mistake I

make.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

20. I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to be called on in language

class.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

21. The more I study for a language test, the more confused I get.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

22. I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for language class.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

59
23. I always feel that the other students speak the foreign language better than
I do.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

24. I feel very self‐conscious about speaking the foreign language in front of
other students.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

25. Language class moves so quickly I worry about getting left behind.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

26. I feel more tense and nervous in my language class than in my other
classes.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

27. I get nervous and confused when I am speaking in my language class.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
28. When I am on my way to language class, I feel very sure and relaxed.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

60
29. I get nervous when I do not understand every word the language teacher
says.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

30. I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you have to learn to speak a
foreign language.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

31. I am afraid that the other students will laugh at me when I speak the foreign
language.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

32. I would probably feel comfortable around native speakers of the foreign
language.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

33. I get nervous when the language teacher asks questions which I haven't
prepared in advance.

Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Number 14 Number 8
Table 2 Age 16 14 Age 16 6
Andorran 13 Age 17 2
Spanish 1 Andorran 8

61
Class Anxiety. 1st course Baccalaureate. Spanish high school.
Number of students (1st course): 22 Females Males

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 1 0 5 6 2
speaking in my foreign language class. 1 1 2 3 1
I do not worry about making mistakes in 5 0 2 5 2
language class.
3 0 1 4 0
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 0 1 4 7 2
called on in language class.
0 0 4 2 2
It frightens me when I do not understand what 2 0 3 5 4
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
1 0 3 2 2
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 5 0 8 0 1
language classes.
1 0 5 1 1
During language class, I find myself thinking 5 0 4 5 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 2 0 4 2 0
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 5 0 5 2 2
at languages than I am. 2 0 0 2 4
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 3 2 6 3 0
class.
2 0 5 1 0
I start to panic when I have to speak without 5 1 2 3 3
preparation in language class. 2 1 2 0 3
I worry about the consequences of failing my 5 1 2 4 2
foreign language class. 2 0 3 1 2
I do not understand why some people get so 3 0 9 2 0
upset over foreign language classes. 0 0 2 5 1
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 5 0 5 2 2
things I know. 0 0 4 2 2
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 1 0 2 6 5
language class.
2 1 0 2 3
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 6 0 3 4 1
language with native speakers.
2 0 3 2 1
I get upset when I do not understand what the 1 1 3 6 3
teacher is correcting.
1 0 3 1 3
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 1 0 3 4 6
feel anxious about it. 1 0 2 3 2
I often feel like not going to my language class. 3 0 3 4 4
0 0 1 3 4
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 4 1 6 3 0
class. 2 0 3 2 1
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 0 1 4 6 3
correct every mistake I make. 0 1 3 2 2

62
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 1 0 6 5 2
be called on in language class. 1 0 2 3 2
The more I study for a language test, the more 1 0 3 5 5
confused I get. 1 0 0 2 5
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 5 0 4 5 0
language class. 3 0 4 1 0
I always feel that the other students speak the 6 0 4 3 1
foreign language better than I do. 1 1 1 2 3
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 3 0 9 2 0
foreign language in front of other students. 3 0 2 2 1
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 1 0 3 6 5
getting left behind. 0 0 2 3 3
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 4 0 1 2 7
class than in my other classes. 2 1 0 2 3
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 1 0 2 8 2
in my language class. 2 1 1 2 2
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 8 0 4 1 1
very sure and relaxed. 2 0 2 3 1
I get nervous when I do not understand every 1 1 4 4 4
word the language teacher says. 1 0 2 2 3
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 3 2 3 4 2
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 1 1 1 2 3
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 4 1 3 2 4
me when I speak the foreign language. 1 1 0 2 4
I would probably feel comfortable around native 6 0 6 2 0
speakers of the foreign language. 1 0 5 2 0
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 2 1 5 2 4
1 1 2 1 3
33 6 46 47 22
11.79 1.71 9.86 6.71 1.57 31.64
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 17 4 27 20 20
10.63 2 10.1 5 2.5 30.25
3
22.415 3.71 19.9 11.71 4.07 61.89
9
22 3 25 26 21
7.86 0.86 5.36 3.71 1.5 19.29
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 10 5 7 15 19
teachers 6.25 2.5 2.63 3.75 2.34 17.47
14.11 3.36 8 7.46 3.84 36.77
50 4 65 55 37
17.86 1.14 13.9 7.86 2.64 43.43
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests 3
17 1 40 34 28
10.63 0.5 15 8.5 3.5 38.13
28.49 1.64 28.9 16.36 6.14 81.56
3

63
 Number 13
Age 17 11 Number 9
Age 18 2 Age 17 9
Table 3 Andorran 7
Andorran 12
Spanish 2
Class Anxiety. 2nd course Baccalaureate. Spanish 1

Spanish high school. Males Females

Number of students (2nd course): 22

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 0 0 3 4 2
speaking in my foreign language class. 3 0 4 5 1
I do not worry about making mistakes in 0 0 3 6 0
language class.
5 0 4 4 0
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 0 0 4 3 2
called on in language class.
1 0 4 4 4
It frightens me when I do not understand what 1 1 2 1 4
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
1 0 2 6 4
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 5 0 3 0 1
language classes.
2 0 7 3 1
During language class, I find myself thinking 2 0 4 2 1
about things that have nothing to do with the 6 0 5 2 0
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 4 0 0 2 3
at languages than I am. 4 0 4 3 2
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 2 0 5 1 1
class.
2 0 6 4 1
I start to panic when I have to speak without 0 0 5 1 3
preparation in language class. 2 0 4 6 1
I worry about the consequences of failing my 2 1 4 1 1
foreign language class. 2 0 5 2 4
I do not understand why some people get so 1 0 1 6 1
upset over foreign language classes. 6 0 6 1 0
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 2 0 3 4 0
things I know. 4 0 4 4 1
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 1 1 4 2 1
language class.
2 0 4 5 2
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 2 0 2 3 2
language with native speakers.
5 0 2 3 3
I get upset when I do not understand what the 2 1 2 2 2
teacher is correcting.
2 0 2 7 2
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 0 0 4 3 2
feel anxious about it. 1 0 1 8 4
I often feel like not going to my language class. 4 0 2 2 1
2 0 4 3 4
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 3 0 3 2 1

64
 class. 2 0 7 4 1
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 0 0 4 4 1
correct every mistake I make. 2 0 4 3 4
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 1 0 2 3 3
be called on in language class. 0 0 4 7 3
The more I study for a language test, the more 2 0 2 2 3
confused I get. 4 0 1 3 5
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 8 0 1 0 0
language class. 5 1 4 1 2
I always feel that the other students speak the 2 1 2 3 1
foreign language better than I do. 4 0 6 1 2
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 2 0 6 1 0
foreign language in front of other students. 5 0 5 3 0
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 0 0 2 3 4
getting left behind. 2 0 4 2 5
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 1 0 3 1 4
class than in my other classes. 0 0 2 4 7
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 1 0 2 3 3
in my language class. 2 0 3 5 3
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 7 0 2 0 0
very sure and relaxed. 6 1 4 2 0
I get nervous when I do not understand every 0 1 3 4 1
word the language teacher says. 2 0 1 7 3
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 1 0 3 4 1
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 2 0 3 4 4
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 0 1 3 3 2
me when I speak the foreign language. 2 0 3 4 4
I would probably feel comfortable around native 4 0 3 1 1
speakers of the foreign language. 6 0 4 2 1
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 0 0 3 3 3
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 2 0 4 4 3
16 3 34 26 20
8.89 1.34 11.34 5.78 2.23 29.58
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 32 0 37 52 23
12.31 0 8.54 8 1.77 30.62
21.2 1.34 19.88 13.8 4 60.2
7 3 19 23 11
3.89 1.34 6.34 5.12 1.23 17.92
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 21 0 29 24 17
teachers 8.08 0 6.7 3.7 1.31 19.79
11.97 1.34 13.04 8.82 2.54 37.71
37 1 42 31 24
20.56 0.45 14 6.89 2.67 44.57
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests 43 2 60 50 41
16.54 0.62 13.85 7.7 3.15 41.86
37.1Number
1.07 27.85
8 14.6 5.82 86.437
Number
Table 4 Age 16 8 Age 16 7
Andorran 7 Andorran 6
Spanish 1 Other 1
65
Class Anxiety. 1st course Baccalaureate.
Andorran high school. Males Females

Number of students (1st course): 15

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 1 4 0 2 0
speaking in my foreign language class. 0 0 2 5 1
I do not worry about making mistakes in 0 2 0 3 2
language class.
4 0 1 2 1
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 2 3 1 0 1
called on in language class.
0 0 2 5 1
It frightens me when I do not understand what 2 1 3 0 1
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
1 0 0 3 4
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 4 1 1 1 0
language classes.
2 1 3 1 1
During language class, I find myself thinking 0 3 3 1 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 4 1 2 1 0
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 5 2 0 0 0
at languages than I am. 1 0 3 2 2
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 1 2 3 1 0
class.
2 1 2 3 0
I start to panic when I have to speak without 4 1 1 1 0
preparation in language class. 1 0 1 4 2
I worry about the consequences of failing my 3 3 1 0 0
foreign language class. 1 1 1 4 1
I do not understand why some people get so 2 0 1 2 2
upset over foreign language classes. 1 0 3 4 0
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 2 2 1 1 1
things I know. 1 0 1 4 2
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 2 4 0 0 1
language class.
1 0 1 2 4
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 1 1 2 2 1
language with native speakers.
2 2 4 0 0
I get upset when I do not understand what the 1 2 1 3 0
teacher is correcting.
0 1 3 3 1
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 4 1 1 1 0
feel anxious about it. 0 0 2 3 3
I often feel like not going to my language class. 2 0 1 2 2
2 0 4 0 2
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 0 0 2 5 0
class. 6 0 2 0 0

66
 I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 0 0 4 2 1
correct every mistake I make. 0 0 1 3 4
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 3 2 0 2 0
be called on in language class. 0 1 0 4 3
The more I study for a language test, the more 0 1 3 1 2
confused I get. 0 0 1 1 6
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 1 0 4 2 0
language class. 3 0 3 2 0
I always feel that the other students speak the 4 2 1 0 0
foreign language better than I do. 0 0 2 5 1
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 0 2 3 1 1
foreign language in front of other students. 3 1 4 0 0
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 1 0 1 3 2
getting left behind. 0 0 1 2 5
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 2 0 2 1 2
class than in my other classes. 0 0 2 2 4
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 2 2 1 2 0
in my language class. 0 0 1 4 3
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 2 0 4 1 0
very sure and relaxed. 1 2 4 1 0
I get nervous when I do not understand every 0 2 3 2 0
word the language teacher says. 0 0 3 4 1
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 3 2 0 1 1
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 1 1 3 2 1
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 2 3 1 1 0
me when I speak the foreign language. 0 0 2 3 3
I would probably feel comfortable around native 0 1 4 0 2
speakers of the foreign language. 4 0 3 1 0
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 3 3 0 0 1
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 1 0 2 3 2
12 18 20 19 6
8.57 10.3 8.57 5.43 0.86 33.73
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 18 5 26 26 13
11.25 2.5 9.75 6.5 1.63 31.63
19.82 12.8 18.32 11.9 1.99 65.36
16 16 6 6 5
11.43 9.14 2.57 1.71 0.71 25.56
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 7 0 12 20 17
teachers 4.38 0 4.5 5 2.13 16.01
15.81 9.14 7.07 6.71 2.84 41.57
29 18 27 19 12
20.71 10.3 11.57 5.43 1.71 49.72
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests 17 7 31 32 28
10.63 3.5 11.63 8 3.5 37.26
Number
31.34 13.8 3
23.2 13.4 Number
5.21 86.9810
Table 5 Age 17 1 Age 17 10
Age 18 2 Andorran 8
Class Anxiety. 2nd course Baccalaureate. Andorran 3 Portuguese 2

67
Andorran high school. Males Females

Number of students (2nd course): 13

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 3 0 6 1 0
speaking in my foreign language class. 0 0 1 2 0
I do not worry about making mistakes in 3 0 1 5 1
language class.
0 0 3 0 0
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 2 1 3 2 2
called on in language class.
0 0 1 2 0
It frightens me when I do not understand what 0 0 3 6 1
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
0 0 1 2 0
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 3 0 4 3 0
language classes.
0 0 2 1 0
During language class, I find myself thinking 3 0 5 1 1
about things that have nothing to do with the 2 0 1 0 0
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 5 1 1 3 0
at languages than I am. 0 0 2 1 0
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 5 0 4 1 0
class.
1 0 2 0 0
I start to panic when I have to speak without 3 0 3 4 0
preparation in language class. 0 0 2 1 0
I worry about the consequences of failing my 5 0 1 3 1
foreign language class. 1 0 2 0 0
I do not understand why some people get so 1 0 2 6 1
upset over foreign language classes. 0 0 0 3 0
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 1 1 3 4 1
things I know. 1 0 0 2 0
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 1 0 5 3 1
language class.
0 0 1 2 0
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 2 0 3 2 3
language with native speakers.
1 0 2 0 0
I get upset when I do not understand what the 2 1 5 2 0
teacher is correcting.
0 0 2 1 0
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 5 0 5 0 0
feel anxious about it. 0 0 1 2 0
I often feel like not going to my language class. 1 0 6 2 1
0 0 0 2 1
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 1 0 3 6 0
class. 0 0 3 0 0
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 3 0 0 4 3
correct every mistake I make. 0 0 0 2 1

68
 I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 4 0 3 2 1
be called on in language class. 0 0 1 2 0
The more I study for a language test, the more 1 0 3 4 2
confused I get. 0 0 0 2 1
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 2 0 5 2 1
language class. 1 0 2 0 0
I always feel that the other students speak the 5 0 2 3 0
foreign language better than I do. 0 0 1 2 0
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 1 0 4 4 1
foreign language in front of other students. 0 0 1 2 0
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 2 0 1 6 1
getting left behind. 0 0 0 3 0
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 4 0 2 4 0
class than in my other classes. 0 0 1 2 0
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 2 0 3 5 0
in my language class. 0 0 1 1 1
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 4 0 5 0 1
very sure and relaxed. 0 0 3 0 0
I get nervous when I do not understand every 0 1 3 5 1
word the language teacher says. 0 0 1 2 0
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 1 0 7 2 0
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 0 0 1 2 0
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 2 0 0 7 1
me when I speak the foreign language. 0 0 0 3 0
I would probably feel comfortable around native 1 0 4 3 2
speakers of the foreign language. 0 0 3 0 0
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 1 1 3 5 0
0 0 1 2 0
15 2 44 40 8
7.5 0.8 13.2 8 0.8 30.3
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 1 0 18 13 1
1.6 0 18 8.67 0.34 28.61
9.1 0.8 31.2 16.7 1.14 58.91
20 2 12 30 6
10 0.8 3.6 6 0.6 21
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 0 0 8 12 1
teachers 0 0 8 8 0.34 16.34
10 0.8 11.6 14 0.94 37.34
43 2 52 44 12
21.5 0.8 15.6 8.8 1.2 47.9
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests Number
6 06 16 21 2
Age1012 Number 8
05 4.8 14 0.67 29.47
Age 13 Age 12 5
31.5 0.81 20.4 22.8 1.87 77.37
Andorran 4 Age 13 3
Table 6 Andorran 7
Portuguese 1
Class Anxiety. 1st course CSE. Other 1 Spanish 1

Andorran high school. Males

69
Number of students (1st course): 14

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 2 0 4 0 2
speaking in my foreign language class. 1 0 2 1 2
I do not worry about making mistakes in 0 0 2 4 2
language class.
4 0 0 2 0
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 4 0 1 3 0
called on in language class.
2 0 2 0 2
It frightens me when I do not understand what 2 0 6 0 0
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
3 1 0 1 1
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 1 1 1 3 2
language classes.
2 0 2 0 2
During language class, I find myself thinking 5 0 2 1 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 5 0 1 0 0
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 6 0 1 1 0
at languages than I am. 5 0 0 0 1
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 0 0 2 3 3
class.
2 0 1 1 2
I start to panic when I have to speak without 6 1 0 1 0
preparation in language class. 5 0 0 1 0
I worry about the consequences of failing my 6 0 1 0 1
foreign language class. 5 0 0 1 0
I do not understand why some people get so 2 1 5 0 0
upset over foreign language classes. 3 0 1 1 1
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 4 0 3 1 0
things I know. 3 0 0 1 2
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 4 0 0 3 1
language class.
2 0 1 0 3
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 1 1 0 1 5
language with native speakers.
3 0 0 0 3
I get upset when I do not understand what the 5 1 2 0 0
teacher is correcting.
5 0 1 0 0
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 2 2 2 2 0
feel anxious about it. 3 0 0 1 2
I often feel like not going to my language class. 3 0 4 1 0
2 0 1 0 2
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 0 1 2 2 3
class. 1 0 0 4 1
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 4 0 4 0 0
correct every mistake I make. 2 0 1 3 1
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 5 1 0 1 1
be called on in language class. 4 1 0 1 0

70
The more I study for a language test, the more 2 0 2 4 0
confused I get. 2 0 3 1 0
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 0 1 5 0 2
language class. 4 0 0 0 2
I always feel that the other students speak the 5 1 1 1 0
foreign language better than I do. 3 1 0 0 2
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 3 0 1 4 0
foreign language in front of other students. 2 0 2 0 2
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 3 0 4 0 1
getting left behind. 3 0 0 1 2
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 3 0 1 4 0
class than in my other classes. 2 0 1 2 1
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 4 0 3 1 0
in my language class. 3 0 1 1 1
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 5 1 2 0 0
very sure and relaxed. 5 0 0 0 1
I get nervous when I do not understand every 5 2 1 0 0
word the language teacher says. 4 1 1 0 0
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 3 1 4 0 0
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 5 0 0 1 0
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 4 1 1 2 0
me when I speak the foreign language. 0 0 1 2 3
I would probably feel comfortable around native 0 0 1 5 2
speakers of the foreign language. 1 1 0 2 2
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 4 1 1 2 0
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 3 1 1 1 0
31 7 24 14 12
19.3 3.5 9 3.5 1.5 36.88
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 8
33 3 7 11 12
27.5 2 3.5 3.67 2 38.67
46.9 5.5 12.5 7.17 3.5 75.55
8
27 3 10 13 3
16.9 1.5 3.75 3.25 0.38 25.78
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 19 2 4 8 10
teachers 15.8 1.34 2 2.67 1.67 23.51
3
32.7 2.84 5.75 5.92 2.05 49.29
3
43 6 35 23 10
26.8 3 13.13 5.75 1.25 50.01
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests 8
49 1 12 10 19
40.8 0.67 6 3.34 3.17 54.01
3
67.7 3.67 19.13 9.09 4.42 104.02
1

71
 Number 13
Age 13 10
Age 14 3
Andorran 10
Table 7 Portuguese 1 Number 6
Spanish 1 Age 13 6
Class Anxiety. 2nd course CSE. Other 1 Andorran 6
Andorran high school Males

Number of students (2nd course): 19

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 0 0 3 3 0
speaking in my foreign language class. 2 0 7 2 2
I do not worry about making mistakes in 0 0 2 3 1
language class.
1 0 2 6 4
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 1 0 4 1 0
called on in language class.
2 0 2 5 4
It frightens me when I do not understand what 3 0 1 0 2
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
5 0 7 2 0
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 4 0 1 1 0
language classes.
9 0 4 0 1
During language class, I find myself thinking 2 0 4 0 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 7 0 5 1 0
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 3 0 2 1 0
at languages than I am. 7 0 3 1 2
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 1 0 2 0 3
class.
5 0 4 1 3
I start to panic when I have to speak without 4 0 0 1 1
preparation in language class. 3 0 5 2 3
I worry about the consequences of failing my 3 0 2 0 1
foreign language class. 9 0 4 0 0
I do not understand why some people get so 2 0 1 1 2
upset over foreign language classes. 9 0 1 0 3
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 4 0 1 1 0
things I know. 7 0 1 3 2
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 1 0 4 1 0
language class.
2 0 4 3 4
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 1 0 1 0 4
language with native speakers.
2 0 8 1 2
I get upset when I do not understand what the 0 0 5 1 0
teacher is correcting.
6 0 4 2 1
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 3 0 1 2 0
feel anxious about it. 5 0 5 1 2
I often feel like not going to my language class. 0 0 3 3 0
2 0 3 5 3
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 0 0 3 2 1

72
 class. 2 0 8 0 3
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 0 0 1 1 4
correct every mistake I make. 2 0 3 4 5
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 2 0 1 3 0
be called on in language class. 5 0 3 0 5
The more I study for a language test, the more 0 0 1 3 2
confused I get. 2 0 6 1 4
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 3 0 2 1 0
language class. 5 0 5 2 1
I always feel that the other students speak the 1 0 4 1 0
foreign language better than I do. 6 0 6 1 0
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 1 0 1 4 0
foreign language in front of other students. 5 0 2 2 4
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 0 0 3 2 1
getting left behind. 3 0 5 1 4
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 0 0 1 2 3
class than in my other classes. 2 0 2 5 4
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 0 0 3 2 1
in my language class. 1 0 6 1 5
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 1 0 4 1 0
very sure and relaxed. 7 0 5 0 1
I get nervous when I do not understand every 0 0 3 1 2
word the language teacher says. 4 0 5 0 4
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 2 0 3 1 0
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 7 0 4 1 1
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 1 0 3 2 0
me when I speak the foreign language. 6 0 1 4 2
I would probably feel comfortable around native 0 0 1 5 0
speakers of the foreign language. 3 0 5 5 0
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 1 0 3 1 1
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 4 0 4 3 2
11 0 24 20 11
9.17 0 12 6.67 1.83 29.67
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 40 0 61 18 25
15.38 0 14.08 2.77 1.92 34.15
24.55 0 26.08 9.44 3.75 63.82
7 0 19 10 6
5.83 0 9.5 3.34 1 19.67
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 28 0 23 22 19
teachers 10.77 0 5.31 3.38 1.46 20.92
16.6 0 14.81 6.72 2.46 40.59
26 0 31 20 12
21.67 0 15.5 6.67 2 45.84
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests 79
Number0 355 25 37
Number 9
30.38
Age 140 112.7 3.85 2.85
Age 14 49.787
52.05
Age 150 228.2 10.5 4.8515 95.622
Age
Table 8 Andorran 2 Andorran 8
Spanish 1 Other 1

73
Class Anxiety. 3rd course CSE.
Andorran high school Males Females

Number of students (3rd course): 12

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 1 0 8 0 0
speaking in my foreign language class. 0 0 0 0 3
I do not worry about making mistakes in 0 1 6 2 0
language class.
1 0 2 0 0
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 8 0 1 0 0
called on in language class.
0 0 1 1 1
It frightens me when I do not understand what 2 2 3 1 1
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
0 0 1 3 0
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 1 0 1 2 5
language classes.
2 0 1 0 0
During language class, I find myself thinking 7 0 1 0 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 2 0 1 0 0
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 6 0 3 0 0
at languages than I am. 0 0 0 2 1
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 1 0 2 2 4
class.
1 0 1 1 0
I start to panic when I have to speak without 7 0 1 1 0
preparation in language class. 0 0 0 2 1
I worry about the consequences of failing my 6 2 1 0 0
foreign language class. 0 0 1 1 1
I do not understand why some people get so 2 0 5 1 0
upset over foreign language classes. 1 0 2 1 0
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 1 1 3 4 1
things I know. 0 0 0 3 0
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 4 1 4 0 0
language class.
0 0 1 0 2
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 3 0 5 1 0
language with native speakers.
1 1 1 0 0
I get upset when I do not understand what the 3 0 3 1 2
teacher is correcting.
0 0 1 1 1
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 3 0 4 1 1
feel anxious about it. 0 0 0 1 2
I often feel like not going to my language class. 0 0 6 2 1
1 0 0 1 1
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 1 0 4 3 1
class. 1 0 2 0 0

74
 I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 4 0 4 0 1
correct every mistake I make. 0 2 0 0 1
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 6 0 3 0 0
be called on in language class. 0 0 0 1 2
The more I study for a language test, the more 2 0 3 4 0
confused I get. 1 0 0 1 1
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 3 0 4 2 0
language class. 0 1 1 1 0
I always feel that the other students speak the 3 0 6 0 0
foreign language better than I do. 0 0 1 1 1
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 7 0 2 0 0
foreign language in front of other students. 1 0 0 1 1
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 1 0 2 5 1
getting left behind. 0 0 1 0 2
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 1 0 1 4 3
class than in my other classes. 0 0 0 1 2
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 4 0 4 1 0
in my language class. 1 0 0 2 0
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 5 0 3 2 0
very sure and relaxed. 1 1 0 1 0
I get nervous when I do not understand every 4 0 3 1 0
word the language teacher says. 0 0 0 3 0
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 4 0 2 1 2
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 0 0 1 1 1
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 4 1 2 0 2
me when I speak the foreign language. 0 0 0 2 1
I would probably feel comfortable around native 0 0 5 4 0
speakers of the foreign language. 1 1 0 0 1
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 1 0 8 0 0
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 1 0 1 1 0
36 2 40 14 6
20 0.89 13.34 3.1 0.67 38
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 5 2 6 13 8
8.33 2.67 6 8.67 2.67 28.34
28.33 3.56 19.34 11.8 3.34 66.34
22 3 33 2 3
12.22 1.33 11 0.44 0.33 68.88
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 2 2 5 6 6
teachers 3.33 2.67 5 4 2 17
15.55 4 16 4.44 2.33 85.88
47 2 40 29 16
26.11
Number 0.89 8 13.33 6.44 1.78 48.55
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests 9
Age 16 2 3 9 14 13
15 17 2.67 1
Age 9 9.33 4.33 40.33
41.11
Age 15 3.56 4 22.33 15.8 2.43 88.8810
Number
Table 9 Andorran 5 Age 15 10
Spanish 2 Andorran 9
Class Anxiety. 4th course CSE.
Other 1 Spanish 1

75
Andorran high school Males Females

Number of students (4th course): 18

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 5 0 2 2 1
speaking in my foreign language class. 1 0 4 3 0
I do not worry about making mistakes in 1 1 6 0 2
language class.
5 0 1 2 0
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 6 0 1 3 0
called on in language class.
2 0 1 4 1
It frightens me when I do not understand what 3 0 1 3 3
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
3 0 4 0 1
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 3 0 3 2 2
language classes.
2 0 2 3 1
During language class, I find myself thinking 9 1 0 0 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 3 0 3 1 1
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 5 0 0 5 0
at languages than I am. 1 0 4 2 1
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 2 0 4 2 2
class.
3 0 0 2 3
I start to panic when I have to speak without 3 1 3 3 0
preparation in language class. 3 0 3 2 0
I worry about the consequences of failing my 5 1 2 1 1
foreign language class. 3 0 2 1 2
I do not understand why some people get so 5 0 3 0 2
upset over foreign language classes. 5 0 0 3 0
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 0 0 4 3 3
things I know. 0 0 4 3 1
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 3 0 2 3 2
language class.
2 0 1 2 3
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 1 1 2 4 2
language with native speakers.
1 0 4 1 2
I get upset when I do not understand what the 2 1 5 2 0
teacher is correcting.
2 0 0 3 3
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 1 0 3 4 2
feel anxious about it. 1 0 2 1 4
I often feel like not going to my language class. 3 0 3 3 1
1 0 2 4 1
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 1 1 2 3 3
class. 2 0 4 0 2
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 2 0 4 4 0
correct every mistake I make. 0 0 5 2 1

76
 I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 1 1 6 1 1
be called on in language class. 4 0 0 3 1
The more I study for a language test, the more 1 2 2 1 4
confused I get. 2 0 1 2 3
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 0 3 6 1 0
language class. 1 0 4 1 2
I always feel that the other students speak the 5 0 2 2 1
foreign language better than I do. 3 0 3 2 0
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 1 0 5 2 2
foreign language in front of other students. 1 0 3 3 1
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 1 0 3 2 4
getting left behind. 1 0 2 2 3
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 0 0 3 2 5
class than in my other classes. 1 0 3 0 4
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 1 1 3 5 0
in my language class. 1 0 2 4 1
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 4 2 3 1 0
very sure and relaxed. 6 0 1 1 0
I get nervous when I do not understand every 2 1 4 2 1
word the language teacher says. 0 0 1 2 5
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 1 1 3 3 2
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 2 0 5 1 0
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 4 1 2 0 3
me when I speak the foreign language. 3 0 5 0 0
I would probably feel comfortable around native 1 3 6 0 0
speakers of the foreign language. 1 0 2 4 1
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 1 0 4 4 1
2 0 4 2 0
23 10 36 29 14
11.5 4 10.8 5.8 1.4 33.5
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 17 0 32 23 16
10.63 0 12 5.75 2 30.38
22.13 4 22.8 11.6 3.4 63.88
21 2 20 18 9
10.5 0.8 6 3.6 0.9 21.8
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 16 0 23 12 5
teachers 10 0 8.63 3 0.63 22.26
20.5 0.8 14.63 6.6 1.53 44.06
41 10 46 26 27
20.5 4 13.8 5.2 2.7 46.2
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests 35 0 27 31 27
Number
21.88 012 10.13 7.75 3.38 43.14
Age 12
42.38 4 9 23.93 12.9 6.08 89.34
Table 10 Age 13 3 Number 6
Andorran 11 Age 12 6
Class Anxiety. 1st course CSE. Spanish 1 Andorran 6
Spanish high school Males

77
Number of students (1st course): 18

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 1 0 4 1 0
speaking in my foreign language class. 2 0 10 0 0
I do not worry about making mistakes in 1 0 1 2 2
language class.
4 0 5 2 1
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 4 0 1 1 0
called on in language class.
5 0 2 3 2
It frightens me when I do not understand what 2 0 2 1 1
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
0 0 6 4 2
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 2 0 2 0 2
language classes.
0 0 2 0 10
During language class, I find myself thinking 4 0 1 1 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 9 0 1 1 1
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 3 0 2 1 0
at languages than I am. 3 0 7 0 2
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 0 0 2 0 4
class.
1 0 3 4 4
I start to panic when I have to speak without 4 0 0 2 0
preparation in language class. 5 0 2 5 0
I worry about the consequences of failing my 4 0 2 0 0
foreign language class. 9 0 2 0 1
I do not understand why some people get so 2 0 3 1 0
upset over foreign language classes. 0 0 7 3 2
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 1 0 3 1 1
things I know. 3 0 3 4 2
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 0 0 3 3 0
language class.
0 0 3 3 6
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 4 0 0 1 1
language with native speakers.
3 0 3 0 6
I get upset when I do not understand what the 1 0 2 3 0
teacher is correcting.
2 0 2 5 3
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 1 0 2 2 1
feel anxious about it. 2 0 3 5 2
I often feel like not going to my language class. 0 0 3 2 1
2 1 4 1 4
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 1 0 3 0 2
class. 2 0 5 2 2
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 0 0 2 3 1
correct every mistake I make. 2 0 1 3 6
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 2 0 1 2 1
be called on in language class. 2 0 3 3 4

78
 The more I study for a language test, the more 0 0 2 2 2
confused I get. 0 0 7 2 3
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 1 0 2 1 2
language class. 4 0 4 4 0
I always feel that the other students speak the 2 0 3 1 0
foreign language better than I do. 6 0 4 2 0
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 2 0 2 1 1
foreign language in front of other students. 0 0 9 1 2
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 0 0 3 1 2
getting left behind. 0 0 4 2 6
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 0 0 3 1 2
class than in my other classes. 6 0 4 0 2
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 1 0 3 1 1
in my language class. 1 0 7 2 2
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 4 0 0 2 0
very sure and relaxed. 8 0 3 1 0
I get nervous when I do not understand every 1 0 2 3 0
word the language teacher says. 1 0 5 5 1
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 2 0 3 0 1
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 3 0 4 3 2
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 5 0 1 0 0
me when I speak the foreign language. 1 0 3 4 4
I would probably feel comfortable around native 2 0 3 0 1
speakers of the foreign language. 4 0 4 4 0
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 3 0 2 1 0
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 4 1 3 1 3
21 0 24 13 7
17.5 0 12 4.3 1.16 34.96
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 23 0 57 31 20
9.6 0 14.25 5.17 1.67 30.69
27.1 0 26.25 9.47 2.87 65.65
14 0 14 11 3
11.67 0 7 3.67 0.5 22.84
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 20 1 26 15 22
teachers 8.3 0.34 6.5 2.5 1.83 19.47
19.97 0.34 13.5 6.17 2.33 42.31
25 0 30 17 18
20.83 0 15 5.67 3 44.5
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests 51 1 52 33 43
21.25 0.34 13 5.5 Number
3.58 43.678
Number
42.08 0.34 12
28 11.2 Age
6.5813 88.177
Age 13 11 Age 14 1
Table 11
Age 14 1 Andorran 7
Class Anxiety. 2nd course CSE. Andorran 12 Spanish 1

Spanish high school Males Females

Number of students (2nd course): 20

79
Question SA A NAD D SD T

80
 I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 2 0 4 2 0
speaking in my foreign language class. 2 0 3 6 1
I do not worry about making mistakes in 0 1 4 1 2
language class.
1 1 4 5 1
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 4 1 1 2 0
called on in language class.
1 1 4 5 1
It frightens me when I do not understand what 7 0 0 1 0
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
8 0 3 1 0
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 2 0 2 2 2
language classes.
3 0 0 4 5
During language class, I find myself thinking 0 0 7 1 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 5 0 6 1 0
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 4 1 2 1 0
at languages than I am. 6 2 3 1 0
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 0 0 1 4 3
class.
1 1 2 4 4
I start to panic when I have to speak without 5 1 1 1 0
preparation in language class. 2 2 6 0 2
I worry about the consequences of failing my 8 0 0 0 0
foreign language class. 9 0 1 2 0
I do not understand why some people get so 1 0 4 3 0
upset over foreign language classes. 1 0 6 4 1
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 3 1 3 1 0
things I know. 5 3 1 3 0
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 2 1 1 3 1
language class.
1 0 5 4 2
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 0 1 2 3 2
language with native speakers.
3 0 5 4 0
I get upset when I do not understand what the 4 0 3 0 1
teacher is correcting.
7 2 2 1 0
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 3 1 4 0 0
feel anxious about it. 1 3 2 5 1
I often feel like not going to my language class. 2 0 1 3 2
2 3 4 1 2
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 1 1 4 0 2
class. 2 0 3 5 2
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 0 1 3 4 0
correct every mistake I make. 1 0 4 4 3
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 4 2 2 0 0
be called on in language class. 1 2 4 3 2
The more I study for a language test, the more 1 1 1 4 1
confused I get. 2 0 3 5 2

81
 I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 0 0 6 1 1
language class. 2 1 6 2 1
I always feel that the other students speak the 2 2 1 3 0
foreign language better than I do. 5 2 4 1 0
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 1 1 3 3 0
foreign language in front of other students. 3 0 6 3 0
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 1 1 1 2 3
getting left behind. 3 3 3 1 2
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 2 0 2 4 0
class than in my other classes. 3 1 4 3 1
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 3 0 3 2 0
in my language class. 1 1 6 4 0
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 6 0 1 1 0
very sure and relaxed. 8 0 4 0 0
I get nervous when I do not understand every 2 1 1 4 0
word the language teacher says. 7 0 2 2 1
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 2 1 4 1 0
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 5 1 3 3 0
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 3 1 3 1 0
me when I speak the foreign language. 4 1 2 4 1
I would probably feel comfortable around native 1 0 4 3 0
speakers of the foreign language. 1 0 5 3 3
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 1 2 4 1 0
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 2 2 4 2 2
28 5 29 20 5
17.5 2.5 10.88 5 0.63 36.51
41 6 38 28 9
17.1 2 9.5 4.67 0.75 34.02
34.6 4.5 20.38 9.67 1.38 70.53
12 9 18 14 3
7.5 4.5 6.75 3.5 0.38 22.63
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 20 8 26 21 9
teachers 8.34 2.67 5 3.5 0.75 20.26
15.84 7.17 11.75 7 1.13 42.89
38 7 36 28 12
23.75 3.5 13.5 7 1.5 49.25
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests 45 18 50 Number
43 22 10
Number 9 Age
18.75 6 12.5 7.1714 1.83 946.25
Age 14 7 Age
42.5 9.5 26 14.216 3.33 1 95.5
Age 15 2 Andorran 8
Table 12
Andorran 7 Spanish 1
rd
Class Anxiety. 3 course CSE. Spanish 2 Other 1

Spanish high school Males

Number of students (3rd course): 19

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 0 2 4 4 0

82
 speaking in my foreign language class. 0 1 5 2 1
I do not worry about making mistakes in 1 1 3 4 1
language class.
0 0 4 5 0
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 2 1 3 3 1
called on in language class.
1 0 4 0 4
It frightens me when I do not understand what 4 1 1 2 2
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
0 2 5 1 1
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 2 1 3 2 2
language classes.
2 1 1 2 3
During language class, I find myself thinking 8 0 2 0 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 6 0 2 0 1
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 3 3 3 1 0
at languages than I am. 3 1 4 1 0
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 3 0 1 5 1
class.
2 0 1 3 3
I start to panic when I have to speak without 2 4 2 0 2
preparation in language class. 2 1 2 3 1
I worry about the consequences of failing my 4 2 2 2 0
foreign language class. 5 1 3 0 0
I do not understand why some people get so 2 1 6 1 0
upset over foreign language classes. 2 0 5 2 0
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 3 2 3 0 2
things I know. 1 2 5 1 0
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 3 3 1 1 2
language class.
2 1 1 3 2
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 2 0 2 6 0
language with native speakers.
0 0 2 6 1
I get upset when I do not understand what the 4 1 4 0 1
teacher is correcting.
3 2 3 1 0
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 5 0 2 1 2
feel anxious about it. 2 1 4 2 0
I often feel like not going to my language class. 5 1 0 2 2
3 2 1 3 0
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 2 0 3 4 1
class. 1 0 3 3 2
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 1 1 5 2 1
correct every mistake I make. 3 1 2 2 1
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 4 3 0 2 1
be called on in language class. 1 2 3 0 3
The more I study for a language test, the more 0 1 5 3 1
confused I get. 0 0 4 3 2
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 1 0 7 2 0
language class. 2 0 7 0 0

83
 I always feel that the other students speak the 4 1 3 1 1
foreign language better than I do. 2 0 6 1 0
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 3 3 2 0 2
foreign language in front of other students. 1 0 4 2 2
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 2 0 2 4 2
getting left behind. 1 0 2 5 1
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 0 2 3 2 3
class than in my other classes. 3 0 1 3 2
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 2 2 4 0 2
in my language class. 0 0 5 3 1
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 4 2 4 0 0
very sure and relaxed. 3 1 1 2 2
I get nervous when I do not understand every 4 1 4 1 0
word the language teacher says. 1 3 2 1 2
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 2 3 2 2 1
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 4 0 2 3 0
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 4 2 1 1 2
me when I speak the foreign language. 1 0 3 2 3
I would probably feel comfortable around native 0 1 6 2 1
speakers of the foreign language. 1 0 5 1 2
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 2 2 4 1 1
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 2 1 4 2 0
25 18 34 21 12
12.5 7.2 10.2 4.2 1.2 35.3
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 13 9 36 26 13
7.23 4 12 5.78 1.3 30.31
19.73 11.2 22.2 9.98 2.5 65.61
13 13 20 11 8
6.5 5.2 6 2.2 0.8 20.7
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 13 4 24 16 6
teachers 7.2 1.78 8 3.56 0.67 21.21
13.7 6.98 14 5.76 1.47 41.91
45 16 43 29 17
22.5 6.4 12.9 5.8 1.7 49.3
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests Number 14
34 10 44 26 21
Age 15 13
18.89 4.44 14.67 5.78 2.33 46.11
Number 6 Age 16 1
41.39 10.8 27.57 11.6 4.03 95.41
Age 15 3 Andorran 12
Table 13
Age 16 3 Spanish 1
th
Class Anxiety. 4 course CSE. Andorran 6 Other 1

Spanish high school Males Females

Number of students (4th course): 20

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 6 1 2 4 1
speaking in my foreign language class. 1 0 2 2 1

84
 I do not worry about making mistakes in 3 0 5 5 1
language class.
1 0 3 2 0
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 4 0 4 1 5
called on in language class.
0 0 2 4 0
It frightens me when I do not understand what 4 0 1 2 7
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
0 0 3 2 1
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 8 0 1 2 3
language classes.
2 0 3 2 0
During language class, I find myself thinking 7 0 2 5 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 3 0 0 2 1
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 4 0 3 4 3
at languages than I am. 2 0 1 3 0
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 3 0 5 3 3
class.
1 0 1 3 1
I start to panic when I have to speak without 4 0 1 6 3
preparation in language class. 0 0 3 0 3
I worry about the consequences of failing my 7 1 2 2 2
foreign language class. 3 0 2 1 0
I do not understand why some people get so 3 0 6 4 1
upset over foreign language classes. 2 0 4 0 0
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 4 0 6 2 2
things I know. 0 0 4 2 0
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 4 0 2 6 2
language class.
0 0 2 3 1
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 6 0 2 1 5
language with native speakers.
3 0 0 2 1
I get upset when I do not understand what the 3 0 4 6 1
teacher is correcting.
0 0 5 1 0
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 3 0 1 4 6
feel anxious about it. 0 0 2 2 2
I often feel like not going to my language class. 3 0 1 3 7
0 0 2 2 2
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 4 0 5 1 4
class. 2 0 3 1 0
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 4 0 3 5 2
correct every mistake I make. 1 0 2 2 1
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 5 0 3 3 4
be called on in language class. 0 0 1 4 1
The more I study for a language test, the more 2 0 4 2 6
confused I get. 0 0 2 2 2
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 6 0 4 4 0
language class. 0 0 5 1 0
I always feel that the other students speak the 4 0 5 4 1

85
 foreign language better than I do. 1 0 2 2 1
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 5 0 4 2 3
foreign language in front of other students. 0 1 3 1 1
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 3 0 0 5 6
getting left behind. 0 0 1 3 2
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 3 0 1 3 7
class than in my other classes. 0 0 1 3 2
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 4 0 3 4 3
in my language class. 0 0 3 2 1
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 5 0 3 4 2
very sure and relaxed. 3 0 1 2 0
I get nervous when I do not understand every 3 0 4 3 4
word the language teacher says. 0 0 1 4 1
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 3 0 3 4 4
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 0 0 5 1 0
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 6 0 5 3 0
me when I speak the foreign language. 0 0 2 3 1
I would probably feel comfortable around native 6 0 4 3 1
speakers of the foreign language. 2 0 3 0 1
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 4 0 5 2 3
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 0 0 2 3 1
48 1 33 36 36
17.14 0.29 7.07 5.14 2.57 32.21
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 8 1 31 16 10
6.67 0.67 15.5 5.34 1.67 29.85
23.81 0.96 22.57 10.5 4.24 62.06
29 0 28 29 12
10.36 0 6 4.14 0.86 21.36
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 5 0 14 18 5
teachers 4.17 0 7 6 0.84 18.01
14.53 0 13 10.1 1.7 39.37
61 1 43 47 54
Number
21.79 11
0.29 9.21 6.71 3.86 41.86
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests Age1412 09 31Number
33 10
13
Age 13
11.67 02 15.5Age 12
11 9
2.17 40.34
Andorran
33.46 8
0.29 24.71Age17.7
13 1
6.03 82.2
Table 14 Spanish 1 Andorran 6
Portuguese 1 Portuguese 1
Class Anxiety. 1st course CSE. French 1 French 1
French high school Males

Number of students (5ème): 21

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 3 0 0 2 4
speaking in my foreign language class. 1 0 1 0 9
I do not worry about making mistakes in 5 0 1 2 2

86
 language class. 7 0 2 2 0
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 1 0 2 3 4
called on in language class.
2 0 1 0 8
It frightens me when I do not understand what 1 0 0 0 9
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
1 0 2 0 8
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 3 0 7 0 0
language classes.
7 0 4 0 0
During language class, I find myself thinking 0 0 7 3 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 3 0 2 2 4
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 0 0 0 3 7
at languages than I am. 1 0 1 5 4
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 4 0 4 2 0
class.
8 0 1 1 1
I start to panic when I have to speak without 1 0 2 2 5
preparation in language class. 1 0 1 2 7
I worry about the consequences of failing my 1 0 2 2 5
foreign language class. 2 0 1 3 5
I do not understand why some people get so 8 0 2 0 0
upset over foreign language classes. 8 0 1 1 1
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 1 0 0 1 8
things I know. 0 0 1 1 9
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 1 0 0 4 5
language class.
0 0 1 3 7
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 4 0 2 1 3
language with native speakers.
0 0 2 3 6
I get upset when I do not understand what the 0 0 2 2 6
teacher is correcting.
4 0 3 1 3
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 4 1 1 1 3
feel anxious about it. 4 0 0 2 5
I often feel like not going to my language class. 2 0 2 4 2
2 0 4 1 4
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 4 0 4 0 2
class. 5 0 3 1 2
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 0 0 1 4 5
correct every mistake I make. 3 0 0 3 5
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 2 0 3 0 5
be called on in language class. 1 0 1 1 8
The more I study for a language test, the more 0 0 0 4 6
confused I get. 0 0 4 2 5
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 2 0 2 2 4
language class. 4 0 2 1 4
I always feel that the other students speak the 3 0 2 0 5
foreign language better than I do. 1 0 1 4 5

87
 I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 3 0 2 2 3
foreign language in front of other students. 0 0 2 3 6
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 0 0 1 4 5
getting left behind. 3 0 1 3 4
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 0 0 1 2 7
class than in my other classes. 1 0 1 3 6
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 1 0 0 3 6
in my language class. 1 0 1 2 7
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 8 0 1 1 0
very sure and relaxed. 6 0 3 1 1
I get nervous when I do not understand every 1 0 1 3 5
word the language teacher says. 1 0 3 4 3
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 0 0 1 5 4
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 1 0 1 5 4
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 2 0 5 2 1
me when I speak the foreign language. 2 0 1 3 5
I would probably feel comfortable around native 3 0 3 2 2
speakers of the foreign language. 7 0 0 4 0
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 1 0 2 1 6
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 2 0 5 2 2
21 0 17 22 49
10.5 0 5.1 4.4 4.9 24.9
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 22 0 19 25 55
10 0 5.18 4.55 5 24.73
20.5 0 10.28 8.95 9.9 49.63
12 0 11 16 31
6 0 3.3 3.2 3.1 15.6
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 16 0 11 22 28
teachers 7.27 0 3 4 2.55 16.82
13.27 0 6.3 7.2 5.65 32.42
36 1 35 29 49
Number 18 12 0.4 10.5 5.8 4.9 39.6
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests Age 13 51 11 0 27 22 65
Age 1423.18 1 0 7.36
Number4 5.90
8 40.44
Andorran
41.18 9 0.4 17.86 9.8
Age 13 10.8
6 80.04
Table 15 Portuguese 1 Age 14 2
French 1 Andorran 7
Class Anxiety. 2nd course CSE. Spanish 1 French 1
French high school Males Females

Number of students (4ème): 20

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 6 0 2 0 0
speaking in my foreign language class. 2 0 4 5 1
I do not worry about making mistakes in 1 0 1 4 2
language class.
3 0 4 4 1

88
 I tremble when I know that I am going to be 3 0 2 2 1
called on in language class.
7 0 2 1 2
It frightens me when I do not understand what 3 0 3 2 0
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
6 0 1 3 2
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 3 0 3 2 0
language classes.
3 0 2 2 5
During language class, I find myself thinking 3 0 5 0 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 10 0 1 0 1
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 6 0 1 1 0
at languages than I am. 5 0 2 4 1
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 0 0 7 0 1
class.
3 0 2 5 2
I start to panic when I have to speak without 5 0 3 0 0
preparation in language class. 6 0 1 3 2
I worry about the consequences of failing my 5 0 2 0 1
foreign language class. 2 0 6 3 1
I do not understand why some people get so 1 0 3 3 1
upset over foreign language classes. 5 0 3 3 1
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 5 0 3 0 0
things I know. 5 0 1 3 3
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 3 0 1 3 1
language class.
3 0 4 3 2
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 2 0 1 1 4
language with native speakers.
3 0 2 1 6
I get upset when I do not understand what the 2 0 5 0 1
teacher is correcting.
7 0 3 2 0
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 2 0 4 1 1
feel anxious about it. 5 0 3 3 1
I often feel like not going to my language class. 5 0 2 0 1
8 0 2 1 1
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 0 0 3 3 2
class. 5 0 1 4 2
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 3 0 3 1 1
correct every mistake I make. 8 0 2 1 1
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 6 0 1 0 1
be called on in language class. 7 1 0 4 0
The more I study for a language test, the more 1 0 5 1 1
confused I get. 5 0 2 3 2
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 0 0 6 1 1
language class. 2 0 5 3 2
I always feel that the other students speak the 5 0 2 1 0
foreign language better than I do. 4 0 3 3 2
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 0 0 3 4 1

89
 foreign language in front of other students. 5 0 3 3 1
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 2 0 3 1 2
getting left behind. 4 0 2 5 1
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 1 0 4 2 1
class than in my other classes. 7 0 2 2 1
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 3 0 4 0 1
in my language class. 6 0 1 3 2
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 2 0 4 1 1
very sure and relaxed. 5 0 2 4 1
I get nervous when I do not understand every 4 0 1 1 2
word the language teacher says. 4 0 3 4 1
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 4 0 4 0 0
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 8 0 3 1 0
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 4 0 2 1 1
me when I speak the foreign language. 5 0 4 1 2
I would probably feel comfortable around native 2 0 1 4 1
speakers of the foreign language. 2 0 2 4 4
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 6 0 1 1 0
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 9 0 1 0 2
31 0 30 15 12
19.38 0 11.25 3.75 1.5 35.88
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 54 0 24 33 21
22.5 0 6 5.5 1.75 35.75
41.88 0 17.25 9.25 3.25 71.63
28 0 11 12 5
17.5 0 4.13 3 0.63 25.26
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 37 0 20 16 11
teachers 15.42 0 5 2.67 0.92 24.01
32.92 0 9.13 5.67 1.55 49.27
39 0 54 14 13
24.38 0 20.25 3.5 1.63 49.76
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests Number 78 13 1 35 42 24
Age 14 32.5 120.34 8.75 7 2 50.59
Age 1556.88 1 0.34 29 10.5 3.63 100.4
Table 16 Andorran 9 Number 7
French 2 Age 14 7
Class Anxiety. 3rd course CSE. Other 2 Andorran 7

French high school Males Females

Number of students (3ème): 20

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 0 0 5 0 2
speaking in my foreign language class. 4 0 4 4 1
I do not worry about making mistakes in 1 0 2 4 0
language class.
0 0 6 5 2
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 2 0 0 2 3

90
 called on in language class. 1 0 1 5 6
It frightens me when I do not understand what 4 0 0 0 3
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
4 0 5 2 2
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 2 0 4 0 1
language classes.
4 0 4 1 4
During language class, I find myself thinking 6 0 0 1 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 7 0 1 4 1
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 2 0 3 2 0
at languages than I am. 6 0 3 2 2
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 3 0 1 0 3
class.
3 0 4 4 2
I start to panic when I have to speak without 3 0 0 2 2
preparation in language class. 4 0 4 1 4
I worry about the consequences of failing my 1 0 4 1 1
foreign language class. 3 0 2 4 4
I do not understand why some people get so 1 0 5 1 0
upset over foreign language classes. 5 0 4 3 1
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 3 0 2 2 0
things I know. 2 0 4 2 5
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 3 0 0 1 3
language class.
2 0 5 4 2
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 5 0 1 1 0
language with native speakers.
5 0 5 2 1
I get upset when I do not understand what the 2 0 2 1 2
teacher is correcting.
3 0 6 3 1
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 1 0 0 3 3
feel anxious about it. 3 0 6 1 3
I often feel like not going to my language class. 1 0 3 0 3
1 0 5 2 5
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 6 0 1 0 0
class. 2 0 5 4 2
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 2 0 2 2 1
correct every mistake I make. 4 0 4 3 2
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 4 0 0 2 1
be called on in language class. 3 0 2 5 3
The more I study for a language test, the more 3 0 0 1 3
confused I get. 2 0 5 2 4
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 4 0 1 0 2
language class. 2 0 5 4 2
I always feel that the other students speak the 2 0 1 4 0
foreign language better than I do. 0 0 6 5 2
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 2 0 2 2 1
foreign language in front of other students. 3 0 4 3 3

91
 Language class moves so quickly I worry about 1 0 1 1 4
getting left behind. 2 0 2 6 3
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 2 0 1 1 3
class than in my other classes. 1 0 4 4 4
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 1 0 1 1 4
in my language class. 2 0 1 8 2
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 3 0 1 2 1
very sure and relaxed. 3 0 7 1 2
I get nervous when I do not understand every 2 0 3 1 1
word the language teacher says. 1 0 4 6 2
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 0 0 3 1 3
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 3 0 3 5 2
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 2 0 1 3 1
me when I speak the foreign language. 3 0 4 5 1
I would probably feel comfortable around native 5 0 1 0 1
speakers of the foreign language. 5 0 5 2 1
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 2 0 4 0 1
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 2 0 4 4 3
30 0 19 9 19
21.43 0 8.14 2.57 2.71 34.85
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 36 0 46 40 21
13.85 0 10.62 6.15 1.62 32.24
35.28 0 18.76 8.72 4.33 67.09
14 0 13 16 6
10 0 5.57 4.57 0.86 21
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 17 0 32 28 14
teachers 6.54 0 7.38 4.31 1.08 19.31
16.54 0 12.95 8.88 1.94 40.31
37 0 23 17 28
26.43 0 9.86 4.86 4 45.15
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language testsNumber 4211 0 56 48 49
Age 15 16.15 8 0 Number
12.92 7.38
9 3.77 40.22
Age 16 42.58 2 0 Age22.78
15 12.2
6 7.77 85.37
Table 17 Age 17 1 Age 16 3
Andorran 10 Andorran 8
Class Anxiety. 4th course CSE. French 1 Portuguese 1
French high school Males Females

Number of students (2nde): 20

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 1 0 6 0 2
speaking in my foreign language class. 3 0 3 3 2
I do not worry about making mistakes in 0 0 1 5 3
language class.
3 0 1 7 0
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 4 0 1 2 2
called on in language class.
2 0 0 2 7

92
 It frightens me when I do not understand what 2 0 1 5 1
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
0 0 3 4 4
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 6 0 3 0 0
language classes.
6 0 4 1 0
During language class, I find myself thinking 6 0 3 0 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 5 0 4 2 0
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 3 0 6 0 0
at languages than I am. 1 0 2 4 4
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 3 0 5 0 1
class.
3 0 6 1 1
I start to panic when I have to speak without 3 0 3 1 2
preparation in language class. 1 0 0 5 5
I worry about the consequences of failing my 2 0 5 1 1
foreign language class. 2 0 5 1 3
I do not understand why some people get so 0 0 4 4 1
upset over foreign language classes. 7 0 2 2 0
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 4 0 2 1 2
things I know. 1 0 2 4 3
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 3 0 1 3 2
language class.
1 0 1 4 5
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 5 0 1 1 2
language with native speakers.
5 0 2 1 3
I get upset when I do not understand what the 0 0 6 3 0
teacher is correcting.
1 0 1 6 2
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 1 0 2 5 1
feel anxious about it. 1 0 3 3 4
I often feel like not going to my language class. 4 0 1 1 3
0 0 2 3 6
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 2 0 4 3 0
class. 2 0 7 1 1
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 0 0 6 2 1
correct every mistake I make. 0 0 3 1 7
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 5 0 1 0 3
be called on in language class. 3 0 0 0 8
The more I study for a language test, the more 3 0 1 3 2
confused I get. 1 0 2 3 5
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 2 0 5 3 0
language class. 5 0 2 2 1
I always feel that the other students speak the 3 0 3 3 0
foreign language better than I do. 2 0 2 4 3
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 3 0 1 3 2
foreign language in front of other students. 3 0 1 4 3
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 0 0 1 5 3

93
 getting left behind. 0 0 3 4 4
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 0 0 1 4 4
class than in my other classes. 0 0 2 1 8
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 2 0 4 1 2
in my language class. 1 0 0 3 7
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 4 0 3 1 1
very sure and relaxed. 8 0 3 0 0
I get nervous when I do not understand every 2 0 1 4 2
word the language teacher says. 0 0 3 5 3
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 2 0 3 3 1
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 0 0 2 6 3
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 4 0 1 2 2
me when I speak the foreign language. 3 0 1 2 5
I would probably feel comfortable around native 6 0 0 3 0
speakers of the foreign language. 5 0 3 2 1
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 2 0 4 1 2
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 0 0 1 7 3
28 0 30 27 14
15.56 0 10 6 1.56 35.12
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 21 0 25 40 34
9.55 0 6.82 10.9 3.1 30.37
25.11 0 16.82 16.9 4.66 65.49
15 0 22 16 10
8.34 0 7.34 3.56 1.12 20.36
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 10 0 11 29 27
teachers 4.55 0 3 5.27 2.45 15.27
12.89 0 10.34 8.83 3.57 35.63
44 0 38 30 24
24.45 0 12.67 6.67 2.67 46.46
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests 44 0 38 29 50
Number 7 Number 440.18
20 0 10.36 5.27 4.55
Age 16 7 Age 167.22 386.64
44.45 0 23.03 11.9
French 1 Age 17 1
Table 18
Andorran 5 Andorran 2
Class Anxiety. 1st course Baccalaureate. Other 1 French 2

French high school Males Females

Number of students (1ère): 11

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 1 0 2 1 0
speaking in my foreign language class. 0 0 2 1 4
I do not worry about making mistakes in 3 0 0 1 1
language class.
2 0 2 3 0
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 1 0 1 2 0
called on in language class.
0 0 3 1 3
It frightens me when I do not understand what 0 0 2 2 0

94
 the teacher is saying in the foreign language. 0 0 1 2 4
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 2 0 0 1 1
language classes.
5 0 1 0 1
During language class, I find myself thinking 1 0 2 1 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 1 0 4 1 1
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 2 0 1 1 0
at languages than I am. 3 0 1 0 3
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 1 0 2 1 0
class.
3 0 3 1 0
I start to panic when I have to speak without 1 0 1 2 0
preparation in language class. 0 0 2 3 2
I worry about the consequences of failing my 1 0 1 2 0
foreign language class. 3 0 1 1 2
I do not understand why some people get so 1 0 2 1 0
upset over foreign language classes. 4 0 3 0 0
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 2 0 1 1 0
things I know. 0 0 4 2 1
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 2 0 1 0 1
language class.
1 0 0 3 3
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 1 0 2 0 1
language with native speakers.
5 0 0 2 0
I get upset when I do not understand what the 2 0 1 1 0
teacher is correcting.
1 0 2 1 3
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 3 0 0 1 0
feel anxious about it. 0 0 1 3 3
I often feel like not going to my language class. 1 0 0 0 3
1 0 0 3 3
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 0 0 2 1 1
class. 3 0 2 2 0
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 0 0 0 3 1
correct every mistake I make. 0 0 1 2 4
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 2 0 0 2 0
be called on in language class. 1 0 1 2 3
The more I study for a language test, the more 0 0 0 2 2
confused I get. 0 0 2 1 4
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 1 0 2 1 0
language class. 5 0 2 0 0
I always feel that the other students speak the 1 0 2 0 1
foreign language better than I do. 1 0 2 2 2
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 2 0 0 2 0
foreign language in front of other students. 1 0 3 1 2
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 0 0 0 2 2
getting left behind. 0 0 1 2 4
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 1 0 0 1 2

95
 class than in my other classes. 0 0 1 2 4
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 1 0 1 2 0
in my language class. 1 0 2 1 3
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 1 0 2 1 0
very sure and relaxed. 5 0 2 0 0
I get nervous when I do not understand every 0 0 2 1 1
word the language teacher says. 1 0 2 1 3
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 1 0 1 1 1
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 1 0 2 2 2
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 1 0 1 2 0
me when I speak the foreign language. 1 0 2 1 3
I would probably feel comfortable around native 1 0 1 1 1
speakers of the foreign language. 5 0 0 2 0
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 2 0 0 2 0
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 1 0 5 0 1
10 0 15 14 5
12.5 0 11.25 7 1.25 32
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 17 0 15 17 20
12.14 0 6.43 4.86 2.86 26.29
24.64 0 17.68 11.9 4.11 58.29
11 0 5 9 4
13.75 0 3.75 4.5 1 23
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 9 0 13 11 16
teachers 6.43 0 5.6 3.14 2.29 17.46
20.18 0 9.35 7.64 3.29 40.46
18 0 13 19 10
22.5 0 9.75 9.5 2.5 44.25
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests 28 0 30 19 29
20 Number0 11
12.86 5.43 4.14 42.43
42.5Age 170 7
22.61 14.9 Number
6.64 86.682
Table 19 Age 18 4 Age 17 2
Andorran 9 Andorran 1
Class Anxiety. 2nd course Baccalaureate. French 2 Portuguese 1
French high school Males

Number of students (Terminale): 13

Question SA A NAD D SD T
I never feel quite sure of myself when I am 0 0 2 0 0
speaking in my foreign language class. 2 0 5 4 1
I do not worry about making mistakes in 0 0 2 0 0
language class.
4 0 5 3 0
I tremble when I know that I am going to be 0 0 0 2 0
called on in language class.
0 0 1 6 5
It frightens me when I do not understand what 1 0 0 1 0
the teacher is saying in the foreign language.
0 0 4 3 5

96
It wouldn’t bother me at all to take more foreign 2 0 0 0 0
language classes.
5 0 3 3 1
During language class, I find myself thinking 1 0 1 0 0
about things that have nothing to do with the 4 0 6 1 1
course.
I keep thinking that the other students are better 0 0 1 1 0
at languages than I am. 1 0 5 3 3
I am usually at ease during tests in my language 2 0 0 0 0
class.
6 0 6 0 0
I start to panic when I have to speak without 1 0 1 0 0
preparation in language class. 3 0 5 2 2
I worry about the consequences of failing my 1 0 1 0 0
foreign language class. 0 0 8 2 2
I do not understand why some people get so 1 0 1 0 0
upset over foreign language classes. 1 0 3 6 2
In language class, I can get so nervous I forget 1 0 0 1 0
things I know. 2 0 3 3 4
It embarrasses me to volunteer answers in my 1 0 1 0 0
language class.
2 0 4 2 4
I would not be nervous speaking the foreign 0 0 2 0 0
language with native speakers.
4 0 1 6 1
I get upset when I do not understand what the 0 0 2 0 0
teacher is correcting.
1 0 5 2 4
Even if I am well prepared for language class, I 1 0 0 1 0
feel anxious about it. 2 0 2 1 7
I often feel like not going to my language class. 0 0 2 0 0
4 0 0 4 4
I feel confident when I speak in foreign language 0 0 2 0 0
class. 2 0 8 1 1
I am afraid that m language teacher is ready to 0 0 1 1 0
correct every mistake I make. 2 0 1 4 5
I can feel my heart pounding when I am going to 1 0 0 1 0
be called on in language class. 1 0 4 3 4
The more I study for a language test, the more 0 0 1 1 0
confused I get. 1 0 2 5 4
I do not feel pressure to prepare very well for 1 0 1 0 0
language class. 4 0 5 2 1
I always feel that the other students speak the 0 0 1 1 0
foreign language better than I do. 2 0 4 0 6
I feel very self-conscious about speaking the 1 0 1 0 0
foreign language in front of other students. 3 0 4 4 1
Language class moves so quickly I worry about 0 0 1 1 0
getting left behind. 2 0 4 2 4
I feel more tense and nervous in my language 0 0 0 2 0
class than in my other classes. 0 0 5 3 4

97
I get nervous and confused when I am speaking 0 0 0 2 0
in my language class. 0 0 3 4 5
When I am on my way to language class, I feel 1 0 1 0 0
very sure and relaxed. 6 0 5 1 0
I get nervous when I do not understand every 1 0 0 1 0
word the language teacher says. 2 0 3 3 4
I feel overwhelmed by the number of rules you 0 0 2 0 0
have to learn to speak a foreign language. 2 0 4 3 3
I am afraid that the other students will laugh at 1 0 1 0 0
me when I speak the foreign language. 2 0 3 4 3
I would probably feel comfortable around native 1 0 1 0 0
speakers of the foreign language. 3 0 5 4 0
I get nervous when the language teacher asks 1 0 0 1 0
questions which I haven’t prepared in advance. 1 0 5 2 4
5 0 13 4 0
12.5 0 19.5 4 0 36
CATEGORY 1: Communicative apprehension 22 0 47 36 27
10 0 12.82 6.55 2.45 31.82
22.5 0 32.32 10.5 2.45 67.82
3 0 7 4 0
7.5 0 10.5 4 0 22
CATEGORY 2: Fear of feedback by peers and 14 0 27 18 25
teachers 6.36 0 7.36 3.27 2.27 19.26
13.86 0 17.86 7.27 2.27 41.26
12 0 9 9 0
30 0 13.5 9 0 52.5
CATEGORY 3: Fear of language tests 38 0 57 41 43
17.27 0 15.55 7.45 3.91 44.18
47.27 0 29.05 16.5 3.91 96.68

98