Language Anxiety

LANGUAGE ANXIETY

One of the several obstacles that second or foreign language (L2) learners have to

overcome in order to develop their abilities to communicate in L2 is language anxiety.

Krashen (1985) provided an early account of how anxiety can impede second language acquisition (SLA). In his model, he proposed the effects of the affective filter in SLA in relation to input. It is the central part of his theory of Second Language Acquisition that consists of Five Hypotheses: Acquisition - Learning, Natural Order, Monitor, Input, and Affective Filter Hypothesis. The final one claims that comprehensible input is necessary for acquisition, but that it is not sufficient alone. If the input is presented and understood, it is likely the acquisition will take place.

However, if the learner is not open to the input, the affective filter, a mental block, may prevent the acquirer from fully using the comprehensible input he/she receives or hears. The learner may receive the comprehensible input, but when it is processed through an internal language processor, it may be blocked by the affective filter. This affective filter includes emotive reactions such as language anxiety and lack of self-confidence.

The higher the affective filter metaphorically, the less input someone is able to process. The learner may understand what he/she hears and reads, but the input will not reach the learner’s internal language processor. Krashen (1985) claims that learners with high motivation, self-confidence, a good self-image, and a low level of anxiety are better equipped for success. This type of learner is not mentally on the defensive.

Therefore, these affective variables such as motivation, self-confidence, and low levels of anxiety play a facilitative, but non-causal, role in second language acquisition. While Krashen’s specific model can be disputed, the metaphor of the affective filter works well. The general idea of anxiety impeding SLA provides the basis for the intervention I presented to the treatment group at the University of Oregon.

Language anxiety: emotional filter 

The Input Hypothesis Model of L2 learning and production (Krashen, 1982)

The affective filter includes emotional reactions such as language anxiety and lack of confidence.

Krashen (1985) suggests that the best way to reduce language anxiety is to make the message so interesting that the student forgets that it is in another language