An Exploration of Speaking Anxiety with Kurdish University EFL Learners

Abstract

The issue of language learning anxiety has been widely researched and investigated in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) settings. However, there have been very few studies conducted on this issue in Kurdistan, specifically about speaking anxiety in English classes. This study, therefore, aims to investigate Kurdish students' perceptions about the sources contributing to English language speaking anxiety in the context of universities of Kurdistan. It then proposes possible learning and teaching strategies to overcome this problem or at least decrease it. The present study also provides fresh approaches and feasible pedagogic implications for foreign language instructors to create a safe and low anxiety environment in English classes. In this qualitative research, a survey strategy was applied by means of both semi structured interview and questionnaire methods for the purpose of data collection. For achieving the study purposes, thirty students were selected purposively who were studying English language at Soran University, Faculty of Arts.

Key words: Speaking anxiety, English as a foreign language (EFL), sources, strategies, Kurdish EFL learners