ERIC Number: EJ1186031
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0215-773X
EISSN: N/A
An Exploration into Factors Associated with Reading Anxiety among Taiwanese EFL Learners
Tsai, Yea-Ru; Lee, Chun-Yen
TEFLIN Journal: A publication on the teaching and learning of English, v29 n1 p129-148 2018
The present study was an elaboration on factors influencing foreign language (FL) reading anxiety in EFL learners (n = 202) in Taiwan. Data were collected from three measures, a background information questionnaire, the Foreign Language Reading Anxiety Scale (FLRAS) and a semi-structured interview. The results showed that FL reading anxiety was associated with time spent on reading English, but not with gender and academic major. Moreover, FL reading anxiety was found to be positively correlated with text features and personal factors, but negatively correlated with reading strategy use, indicating that the more reading strategies a learner employs, the lower FL reading anxiety level he/she will experience. Unfamiliar vocabulary, unknown topics, long and complicated text structure as well as the fear of making mistakes were identified as the major factors of FL reading anxiety. This study contributes to extending our understanding of factors that might evoke EFL reading anxiety.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Reading, Anxiety, Semi Structured Interviews, Questionnaires, Gender Differences, Majors (Students), Vocabulary, Reading Strategies, Student Characteristics, College Students
Association for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language in Indonesia (TEFLIN). Malang, East Java, 65145, Indonesia. TEFLIN Publication Division, Department of English, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jalan Semarang 5, Tel: +62-341-570; http://journal.teflin.org/index.php/journal
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Taiwan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A