Foreign language reading anxiety: Proficiency and gender

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the foreign language (FL) reading anxiety level of students enrolled in the extensive English language program at Anadolu University, Turkey. The foreign language reading anxiety level of the students were explored in terms of their English language proficiency level and their gender. Thus, this study aimed at answering the following research questions: 1. Do levels of FL reading anxiety vary in relation to language proficiency level? 2. Do levels of FL reading anxiety vary in relation to gender? The data were collected through the "Foreign Language Reading Anxiety Scale (FLRAS)". The scale was applied in the first term of the 2007-2008 academic year. Students had been exposed to 12 weeks of English language instruction when the scale was applied. The scale was applied to students in four proficiency levels - beginner, elementary, lower-intermediate, and intermediate. A total of 670 students responded to the scale; 281 beginner level students, 199 elementary level students, 138 lower- intermediate level students, and 52 intermediate level students. The level of foreign language reading anxiety was calculated for each student. Then, the level of foreign language reading anxiety was compared with students' language proficiency levels and gender. The results revealed that the lower the language proficiency level the more students experience high FL reading anxiety. Considering gender, it has been observed that the level of FL reading anxiety experienced by male and female students differs in terms of their language proficiency level