Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety Among Croatian High School Students

master's thesis

• Author: Sarah Stunja
• Mentor: Renata Geld (mentor)
• Committee member: Stela Letica Krevelj (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Bojan Prosenjak (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Renata Geld (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; (Department of English language and literature); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2024-09-30, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: HUMANISTIC SCIENCES; Philology; Anglistics

Abstract

This thesis investigated the levels of English language speaking anxiety among grammar school students compared to vocational school students and determined the differences in the reported causes of English language speaking anxiety between these two groups. Moreover, it examined whether the reported causes of English language speaking anxiety differed between grammar and vocational school students during their middle school education and whether high levels of English language speaking anxiety in students persisted as they progressed to high school. The results showed that both groups of students experienced mild levels of English language speaking anxiety and that the primary factors inducing their speaking anxiety did not change as students progressed from middle school to high school. The primary factor inducing anxiety in grammar school students was the fear of public speaking, whereas perceived low(er) language proficiency was the most significant cause of anxiety for vocational school students. Students who experienced high levels of speaking anxiety in middle school continued to face it in high school.

• Keywords: foreign language speaking anxiety; anxiety-inducing factors; Croatian high school students; English language speaking anxiety
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:131:081553
• Study programme: Title: English Language and Literature (double major); specializations in: Linguistics, Literature and Culture, Translation, TEFL; Course: TEFL; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra edukacije engleskog jezika i književnosti (magistar/magistra edukacije engleskog jezika i književnosti)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Access restricted to students and staff of home institution
• Created on: 2024-10-03 12:03:20