Research Article

I Understand But I Cannot Speak!: Examining the English Speaking Anxiety in the Classroom of Tourism Guidance Students

Volume: 13 Number: 1 May 5, 2026
TR EN

I Understand But I Cannot Speak!: Examining the English Speaking Anxiety in the Classroom of Tourism Guidance Students

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to assess students' concern regarding English speaking in the classroom, identify its roots, and formulate solutions.  
Method: Data were gathered from undergraduates enrolled in the Department of Tourism Guidance at Mardin Artuklu University's Faculty of Tourism. A mixed technique was utilized to correspond with the study's purpose, integrating both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Data were collected from 106 students in the preliminary phase via a questionnaire. Subsequently, a series of focus group interviews were conducted with a cohort of 8 students to obtain more complete insights. A descriptive analytic technique was employed to examine the data acquired from the focus group interviews. As a result of the descriptive analysis of the responses received after the interview, themes and categories were formed.
Results: The findings revealed that students displayed a considerable degree of anxiety over English speaking. The focus group interview revealed that students' speaking anxiety stemmed from their fear of being ridiculed by classmates for incorrect responses and pronunciation, coupled with a deficiency in self-confidence exacerbated by the presence of English-speaking peers in the classroom. Furthermore, the focus group interview revealed that the students' reluctance to interact in English primarily stemmed from their classmates, whereas the course instructor typically did not exacerbate any anxiety.  
Conclusion: Students' apprehensions regarding speaking stem from two fundamental elements. The primary component was identified as the reservations originating from their peers. This matter consists of two elements: peer harassment and a lack of confidence. The second key influence is the reluctance induced by instructors, which is specifically characterized by humiliation. These findings led to the advice to alleviate students' concern regarding English speaking and enhance their ability in the language.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

There is no supporting institution.

Ethical Statement

The researcher declares that they pay utmost attention to all ethical principles and rules in the collection, analysis, and reporting of data.

References

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  2. ALSARAJ, T. M. (2014). Revisiting the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale. L2 Journal, 1, 50-76.
  3. ANSARI, M. S. (2015). Speaking Anxiety in ESL/EFL Classrooms: A Holistic Approach and Practical Study. International Journal of Educational Investigations, 2(4), 38-46.
  4. BAŞ, G. (2014). Lise Öğrencilerinde Yabancı Dil Öğrenme Kaygısı: Nitel Bir Araştırma. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 36(36), 101-119.
  5. BATMAN, O. (2003). Türkiye’deki Profesyonel Turist Rehberlerinin Mesleki Sorunlarına Yönelik Bir Araştırma. Bilgi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 2, 117-134.
  6. BRAUN, V. & CLARKE, V. (2008). Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
  7. CHANTHA, P., SURANAKKHARIN, T. & SIRIDETKOON, P. (2019). A Study of the Factors Contributing to English Language Learning Anxiety in Classroom Perceived by Computer Engineering Students and English Major Students at Naresuan University. Lampang Rajabhat University Journal, 8(1), 57-72.
  8. COŞKUN, R., ALTUNIŞIK, R., BAYRAKTAROĞLU, S. & YILDIRIM, E. (2015). Sosyal bilimlerde araştırma yöntemleri (8. Baskı). Sakarya: Sakarya Yayıncılık.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Tourism (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

May 4, 2026

Publication Date

May 5, 2026

Submission Date

January 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 3, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 13 Number: 1

APA
Akgül, O. (2026). I Understand But I Cannot Speak!: Examining the English Speaking Anxiety in the Classroom of Tourism Guidance Students. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences, 13(1), 309-320. https://doi.org/10.17336/igusbd.1628833
AMA
1.Akgül O. I Understand But I Cannot Speak!: Examining the English Speaking Anxiety in the Classroom of Tourism Guidance Students. IGUJSS. 2026;13(1):309-320. doi:10.17336/igusbd.1628833
Chicago
Akgül, Onur. 2026. “I Understand But I Cannot Speak!: Examining the English Speaking Anxiety in the Classroom of Tourism Guidance Students”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences 13 (1): 309-20. https://doi.org/10.17336/igusbd.1628833.
EndNote
Akgül O (May 1, 2026) I Understand But I Cannot Speak!: Examining the English Speaking Anxiety in the Classroom of Tourism Guidance Students. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences 13 1 309–320.
IEEE
[1]O. Akgül, “I Understand But I Cannot Speak!: Examining the English Speaking Anxiety in the Classroom of Tourism Guidance Students”, IGUJSS, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 309–320, May 2026, doi: 10.17336/igusbd.1628833.
ISNAD
Akgül, Onur. “I Understand But I Cannot Speak!: Examining the English Speaking Anxiety in the Classroom of Tourism Guidance Students”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences 13/1 (May 1, 2026): 309-320. https://doi.org/10.17336/igusbd.1628833.
JAMA
1.Akgül O. I Understand But I Cannot Speak!: Examining the English Speaking Anxiety in the Classroom of Tourism Guidance Students. IGUJSS. 2026;13:309–320.
MLA
Akgül, Onur. “I Understand But I Cannot Speak!: Examining the English Speaking Anxiety in the Classroom of Tourism Guidance Students”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 13, no. 1, May 2026, pp. 309-20, doi:10.17336/igusbd.1628833.
Vancouver
1.Onur Akgül. I Understand But I Cannot Speak!: Examining the English Speaking Anxiety in the Classroom of Tourism Guidance Students. IGUJSS. 2026 May 1;13(1):309-20. doi:10.17336/igusbd.1628833

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