Investigating the Underlying Constructs of the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale

Abstract

Foreign language anxiety has been the subject of research for many years as one of the individual factors affecting the language learning process. In this study, the factor structure of Foreign Language Anxiety Scale was examined in the context of Turkey. The study group consisted of 166 students studying in the English preparatory department of a university in the Marmara Region during the spring semester of the 2017-2018 academic year. Validity and reliability study consists of language validity, scoring, application, item analysis, construct validity and reliability steps. It was found that the Foreign Language Class Anxiety Scale has a factor structure consisting of 3 dimensions: speaking anxiety, failure anxiety and lack of self-confidence. According to the results of exploratory factor analysis, it was determined that the factors explained 57% of the total variance. As a result of the internal consistency analysis regarding the reliability of the scale, it was determined that the internal consistency coefficient received acceptable values in speaking anxiety, failure anxiety and lack of self-confidence factors. In conclusion, the multi-factor structure of the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale was examined in the context of Turkey and considered as a reliable and valid tool that can be used to measure foreign language anxiety.

Keywords

• foreign language anxiety,speaking anxiety,fear of failure,lack of self-confidence,validity and reliability

Yabancı Dil Sınıf Kaygısı Ölçeği’nin Faktör Yapısının İncelenmesi

Öz

Yabancı dil kaygısı, dil öğrenme sürecini etkileyen bireysel faktörlerden biri olarak uzun yıllardır araştırmalara konu olmaktadır. Çalışmada, Yabancı Dil Kaygısı Ölçeği’nin faktör yapısının Türkiye bağlamında incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu 2017-2018 eğitim-öğretim yılı bahar döneminde Marmara Bölgesindeki bir üniversitenin İngilizce hazırlık bölümde öğrenim gören 166 öğrenci oluşturmuştur. Geçerlilik güvenirlik çalışması, dil geçerliği, puanlandırma, uygulama, madde analizi, yapı geçerliği ve güvenirlik basamaklarından oluşmaktadır. Araştırma sonucunda, Yabancı Dil Sınıf Kaygısı Ölçeği’nin konuşma kaygısı, başarısızlık kaygısı ve özgüven eksikliği olmak üzere 3 boyuttan oluşan bir faktör yapısına sahip olduğuna ulaşılmıştır. Açımlayıcı faktör analizi sonuçlarına göre faktörlerin toplam varyansın %57’sini açıkladığı saptanmıştır. Ölçeğin güvenirliğine ilişkin uygulanan iç tutarlılık analizi sonucunda konuşma kaygısı, başarısızlık kaygısı ve özgüven eksikliği faktörlerinde iç tutarlılık katsayısının kabul edilebilir değerler aldığı belirlenmiştir. Buna göre, bu çalışmada Yabancı Dil Sınıf Kaygısı Ölçeği’nin çoklu faktör yapısı Türkiye bağlamında incelenmiş ve yabancı dil kaygısının ölçülmesinde kullanılabilecek güvenilir ve geçerli bir araç olarak değerlendirilmiştir. 

Anahtar Kelimeler

• yabancı dil sınıf kaygısı,konuşma kaygısı,başarısızlık kaygısı,özgüven eksikliiği,geçerlik ve güvenirlik

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