Effects of Language Anxiety Has on Academic Performance in Mfl.

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An Empirical Research Study to investigate the Effects of Language Anxiety on Modern Foreign Language Learners’ Academic Performance. Jessica-Emma Sefton 21829047 An Empirical Research Study to investigate the Effects of Language Anxiety on Modern Foreign Language Learner’s Academic Performance. By Jessica-Emma Sefton __________________________________ A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education. In fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of: Key Stage 2/3 Education with Modern Foreign Languages (Non-QTS) In the graduate university of: Edge Hill University 2014 Abstract: This study explores the relationship among three variables: cognitive load, foreign language anxiety and academic performance; focusing specifically on tasks such as oral presentations and listening comprehensions. The author hypothesised that these tasks would elevate the rate of anxiety within a pupil thus affecting and lowering their test scores. In addition to academic causes of anxiety the author has investigated variables such as social aspects that have been found to elevate foreign language anxiety in children. Several pedagogical strategies were also offered to assist instructors in helping learners acknowledge, cope with, and reduce anxiety, as well as to encourage them to make the learning context less stressful to their students. Keywords: anxiety, foreign languages, academic, performance, state, trait Introduction: The aims of this empirical study were to investigate the implications Language Anxiety has on the academic performance of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Learners. The intent of this study was to explore the underlying factors of anxiety and how these in turn can affect a student’s
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