English language learning anxiety among the rural school students

Abstract

Anxiety is a disturbing circumstance of the mind, which exploits the performance of learners. It diminishes the learning process and achievement of learners. English is the medium of global communication and is widely used for education in Bangladesh. But anxiety is a huge obstacle in the learning process. This study aims at investigating the factors that are responsible for anxiety in learning a second or foreign language, its effects and strategies for reducing the anxiety of rural language learners. Secondary school students and English language teachers are the participants of this study. This study's emphasis on teaching techniques is followed by the teachers, and how they cope with the anxious students. A mixed method is applied here to arrange and interact teachers' interviews and students' opinions regarding foreign language learning anxiety. The findings and results bring out different personal and interpersonal motives behind language learning anxiety and how anxiety affects the academic life of the students. The research includes investigation and different discussions to excavate the strategies to reduce the learners' anxiety. Besides, in order to establish a neutral learning environment, some recommendations are provided at the end of the study.