Examination of Foreign Students’ Anxiety in Learning Turkish in Terms of Various Variables

Year 2023, , 484 - 501, 21.10.2023

Tuğba Şimşek

https://doi.org/10.31458/iejes.1291763

Cited By: 1

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of anxiety level on foreign language success and to examine the level of anxiety in terms of various variables in learning Turkish as a foreign language. Descriptive analysis and measurement by scanning was used. Anxiety levels of students learning Turkish as a foreign language were examined in terms of various variables. "Foreigners' Turkish Learning Anxiety Scale" was applied. In conclusion; Anxiety is an effective factor in learning Turkish as a foreign language. While sufficient level of anxiety facilitates learning, high level of anxiety makes learning difficult. As a new concept, we can call it motivational anxiety. Anxiety levels of students do not differ significantly according to gender, country and time they live. When the anxiety levels of the students learning Turkish as a foreign language are examined according to the variable of the number of languages they know, there is a significant difference in favor of those who speak 4 languages or more. Since the majority of the students are at a moderate level in terms of both academic and self-esteem, it is thought that a moderate level of anxiety will contribute to success.

Keywords

Teaching language, Turkish education, teaching Turkish as a foreign language, anxiety, motivational anxiety

References

• Aida, Y. (1994). Examination of Horwitz, Horwitz and Cope’s construct of foreign language anxiety: The case of students of Japanese. Modern Language Journal, 78, 155-68.
• Allwright, D. & Bailey, K.M. (1991). Focus on the language classroom, an introduction to classroom research for language teachers. Cambridge: CUP, 144-175.
• Andrade, M. & Williams, K. (2009). Foreing language learning anxiety in Japanese Efl universty classes: Physical, emotional, expressive and verbalreactions. Sophia Junior College Faculty Journal, 29, 1-24.
• Aydın, S. & Zengin, B. (2008). Anxiety in foreign language learning: a literature summary. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 4(1), 81- 94.
• Aydın, S., Yavuz, F. & Yeşilyurt, S. (2006). Test anxiety in foreign language learning. Journal of Graduate School of Social Sciences of Balikesir University, 9(16), 145-160.
• Aytan, N. & Tunçel, H. (2015). The anxiety of writting Turkish as a foreign language development study. Mustafa Kemal University Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 12(30), 50- 62.
• Bacanlı, H. (2002). Development and learning. Ankara: Nobel.
• Bailey, K. (1983). Competitiveness and anxiety in adult second language learning. H. W. Seliger, M. H. Long, (Eds.), Classroom oriented research in language acquisition (pp. 67-102). New York: Newbury House.
• Barlow, D. (2002). Anxiety and its disorders: The nature and treatment of anxiety and panic. New York: Guilford Press.
• Baş, G. (2013). Foreign language learning anxiety scale: Validity and reliability study. The Journal of Turkish Social Research, 17(2), 49-68.
• Baş, G. (2014). Foreign language learning anxiety in high school students: A qualitative research. Pamukkale University Journal of Education, (36), 101-119.
• Başaran, İ. E. (1991). Educational psychology, psychological foundations of modern education. Ankara: Gül Publisher.
• Batumlu, Z. D. (2006). YTU The effect of foreign language anxiety on English achievement of foreign language school preparatory students (Unpublished master thesis, Yıldız Teknik University, İstanbul). Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/
• Campbell, C. M. & Ortiz, J. A. (1991). Helping students overcome foreign language anxiety: A foreign language anxiety workshop. E. K. Horwitz, D. J. Young (Eds.), Language anxiety: From theory and research to classroom implications (pp. 153-168). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
• Chiang, Y. N. (2009). Foreing language anxiety in taiwanese student interpreters. Translators Journal, 54(3), 605-621.
• Çelik, N. & Kaban, B. (2022, 14-16 October). The place of anxiety in teaching Turkish as a foreign language: An İnvestigation of four basic skills. XIII. Abstract of International World Language Turkish Symposium, Rize, Turkey.
• Dalkılıç, N. (2001). An investigation into the role of anxiety in second language learning, (Unpublished PhD thesis, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey). Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/
• Djigunovic, J. M. (2006). Language anxietyand language processing. EUROSLA Yearbook, 6(1), 191-212. https://doi.org/10.1075/eurosla.6.12mih
• Ellis, G. & Sinclair, B. (1989). Learning to learn English: A course in learner training. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Ellis, R. & Rathbone, M. (1987). The acquisition of German in a classroom context mimeograph. London: Ealing College of Higher Education.
• Ellis, R. (1994). The study of second language acquisition. California: Oxford University Press.
• Enç, M., (1990). Dictionary of psychological terms. Ankara: Kartepe Publications.
• Ergür, D. (2004). Anxiety in foreign language learning process. Hacettepe University Journal of Education Faculty, 26, 48-53.
• Freud, S. (2013). On psychoanalysis (Trans: A. A. Öneş,). İstanbul, Turkey: Say Publications.
• Gregersen, T. & Horwitz, E.K. (2002). Language learning and perfectionism: Anxious and non-anxious language learner’s reactions to their own oral performance. Modern Language Journal, 86(4), 562-570. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-4781.00161
• Gregersen, T. S. (2003). To err is human: A reminder to teachers of language- anxious students. Foreign Language Annals, 36(1), 25 – 32. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2003.tb01929.x
• Horwitz, M. B., Horwitz, E. K. & Cope, J. (1986). Foreing language classroom anxiety. The Modern Language Journal, 70(2), 125-132. https://doi.org/10.2307/327317
• İşcan, A. (2011). The effect of language learning anxiety on the learner of Turkish as a second language: The case of Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. Educational Research and Reviews, 6(8), 586-591.
• İşeri, K. & Ünal, E. (2012) Examination of Turkish teacher candidates' writing anxiety in terms of various variables. Journal of Mersin University Faculty of Education, 8(2), 67-76.
• Kılınçarslan, R. & Yavuz, A. (2014). Writing mistakes made by learners of Turkish as a foreign language in the use of social media. Turkish Studies, International Periodical for the Languages, Literature and History of Turkish or Turkic, 9(3), 863-877.
• Kierkegaard, S. (2013). The concept of anxiety (Trans: T. Armaner,). İstanbul: Cultural Publications.
• Kleinmann, H. H. (1977). Avoidance behavior in adult second language acquisition. Language Learning, 27, 93-107. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-1770.1977.tb00294.x
• Koch, A. S. & Terrell, T. D. (1991). Affective reactions of foreign language students to natural approach activities and teaching techniques. E. K. Horwitz, D. J. Young, (Eds.), Language anxiety: From theory and research to classroom implications (pp. 109-126). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
• Köroğlu, E. (2013). Psychiatry reference manual, mental ıllness manual for patients, relatives and clients. Ankara: HYB Publishing.
• Krashen, S. D. (1985). Applications of psycholinguistic research to the classroom. C. James (Ed.), Practical applications of research in foreign language teaching (pp. 51- 66). Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook.
• Kyosti, J. (1992). Trait and test anxiety in the FL classroom. (Eric Document No. 345551).
• Lucas, Irene, R., Miraflores, E. & Go, D. (2011). English language learning anxiety among foreign language learners in the Philippines. Philippine ESL Journal, 7, 94- 117.
• MacIntyre, D., P. & Gardner, R., C. (1991). Methods and results in the study of anxiety and language learning: A review of the literature. Language Learning. 41(1), 85-117.
• MacIntyre, D., P. & Gardner, R., C. (1994). The subtle effect of language anxiety on cognitive processing in the second language. Language Learning, 44(2), 283-305.
• MacIntyre, P. D., Noels, K. A. & Clément, R. (1997). Biases in self-ratings of second language proficiency: The role of language anxiety. Language Learning, 47(2), 265-287.
• Matsumoto, K. (1989). Factors involved in the L2 learning process. JALT Journal, 11, 167- 192.
• Melanlıoğlu, D. & Demir, T. (2013). Validity and reliability study of the Turkish form of the speech anxiety scale for foreigners learning Turkish. The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies, 6(3), 389-404. http://doi.org/10.9761/JASSS_807
• Na, Z. (2007). A study of high school students' English learning anxiety. The Asian EFL Journal, 9(3), 22-34.
• Özdemir, E. (2013). Sources of speech anxiety of learners of Turkish as a foreign language. (Unpublished master thesis, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey). Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/
• Özdemir, B. (2019). Investigation of the writing anxiety of Turkish as a foreİgn language learners’ on the basis of different variables. The Journal of Turkish Social Research, 23(2), 351-364.
• Phillips, E. (1992). The effects of language anxiety on students’ oral test performance and attitudes. The Modern Language Journal, 76, 14-26. https://doi.org/10.2307/329894
• Plotnick, R. (2009). Introduction to psychology. Istanbul: Kaknüs Publications.
• Polatcan, F. (2019). An investigation of studies on anxiety in teaching Turkish as a foreign language. Journal of Mother Tongue Education, 7(1), 205–216. https://doi.org/10.16916/aded.483208
• Price, M. L. (1991). The subjective experience of foreign language anxiety: Interviews with highly anxious students. E. K. Horwitz, D. J. Young, (Eds.), Language anxiety: From theory and research to classroom implications (pp. 87-97). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
• Sallabaş, M. E. (2012). An evaluation of speech anxiety of learners of Turkish as a foreign language. Turkish Studies, 7(3), 2199-2218. https://doi.org/10.7827/turkishstudies.3481
• Sarıgül, H. (2000). Trait anxiety and foreign language anxiety and their effects on learners’ foreign language proficiency and achievement. (Unpublished master thesis, Boğaziçi Üniversity, İstanbul). Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/
• Scovel, T. (1978). The effect of affect on foreign language learning: A review of the anxiety research. Language Learning, 28(1), 129-142. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-1770.1978.tb00309.x
• Sevim, O. (2014). Examination of Turkish speaking anxiety of foreign students in terms of some variables. EKEV Academy Journal, 18(60), 389-402.
• Sevim, O. (2019). Turkish learning anxiety scale of foreigners: Reliability and validity study. Journal of Bayburt Faculty of Education, 14(28), 253-274. https://doi.org/ 10.35675/befdergi.642780
• Sparks, R. L. & Ganschow, L. (1991). Foreign language learning differences: affective or native language aptitude differences. Modern Language Journal, 75, 3–16.
• Spielberger. C. D. (1962). The effect of manifest anxiety on the academic achievement of college student. Mental Hygiene, 46, 420-426.
• Steinberg, F. S. & Horwitz, E. K. (1986). The effect of induced anxiety on the denotative and interpretive content of second language speech. TESOL Quarterly, 20, 131-136.
• Tiryaki, E. N. (2011). Argumentative text writing skills and writing anxiety and critical thinking skills of university students. (Unpublished master thesis, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey). Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/
• Tunçel, H. (2014a). Anxiety towards Turkish as a foreign language and the effect of anxiety on foreign language success. Turkish Studies, 9(5), 1987-2003.
• Tunçel, H. (2014b). An overview of anxiety studies in foreign language teaching. Route Educational and Social Science Journal, 1(2), 126-151. https://doi.org/10.17121/ressjournal.67
• Yerkes, R. M. & Dodson, J. D. (1908). The relation of srength of stimulus to rapidity of habit formation. Journal of Comparative Neurology of Psychology, 18, 459–482.
• Young, D. J. (1986). The relationship between anxiety and foreign language oral proficiency ratings. Foreign Language Annals, 16, 439 – 445. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.1986.tb01032.x
• Young, D. J. (1990). An investigation of students’perspectives on anxiety and speaking. Foreign Language Annals, 23, 539-553. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.1990.tb00424.x
• Young, D. J. (1991). Creating a low-anxiety classroom environment: what does the language anxiety research suggest? Modern Language Journal, 75(4), 426- 437. https://doi.org/10.2307/329492
• URL 1: https://istatistik.yok.gov.tr/ Erişim Tarihi: 5 Şubat 2023
• URL 2: http://www.dilbilimi.net/tomer_ve_dil_merkezleri.html Erişim Tarihi: 5 Şubat 2023