PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING ANXIETY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF CAUSES, EFFECTS, AND COPING STRATEGIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51200/sapj.v14i1.7992Keywords:
Higher education English language learners, English-speaking anxiety, systematic review,, educational psychologyAbstract
In today's globalized world, English language competency is essential not only for academic purposes but also for international interactions. However, many Higher Education English Language Learners (HE-ELLs) experience English-speaking anxiety, which negatively affects their classroom performance and learning outcomes. There is a relatively fragmented body of literature currently available regarding English-speaking anxiety among HE-ELLs. Therefore, grounded in psychological theories of language anxiety, this study comprehensively and methodically synthesizes 24 recent empirical studies to summarize the characteristics of research on English-speaking anxiety among HE-ELLs and identify research trends. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, relevant studies published in the last five years were collected from Scopus, ProQuest Education, ERIC databases, and further augmented by Google Scholar. In the final screening, 24 articles were included for analysis. The findings reveal that psychology- related factors, language-related factors, performance-related factors, and socio-cultural factors are all associated with English-speaking anxiety among HE-ELLs. These factors may impact learners' classroom performance, language learning outcomes, and mental health. To relieve English-speaking anxiety, various teaching strategies have been proposed, including the application of virtual reality technology, group cooperative learning, and increasing opportunities for interaction with native speakers. The findings of this study provide a deeper understanding of English-speaking anxiety among HE-ELLs in English learning in recent years. By thoroughly analyzing the root causes of English-speaking anxiety and implementing effective strategies, it offers valuable references for educators, researchers, and policymakers in overcoming anxiety in English-speaking communication.
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