Alleviating the Burden of Anxiety: Enjoyment as a Shield for Foreign Language Self-Efficacy

Funda Ölmez-Çağlar; Gonca Nur Ölmez

doi:10.19126/suje.1891637

Alleviating the Burden of Anxiety: Enjoyment as a Shield for Foreign Language Self-Efficacy

Abstract

Learner emotions matter greatly for foreign language (L2) learning. However, negative learner emotions, such as anxiety, have vastly overshadowed positive ones, like enjoyment, in L2 research for decades. Echoing the need for more holistic and balanced insights into emotions, this study probed into how foreign language (classroom) anxiety (FLCA/FLA) and foreign language enjoyment (FLE) jointly predict foreign language self-efficacy (FLSE). The study further investigated the mediating role of FLE in the link between FLCA and FLSE. Data were collected from 285 tertiary-level students learning English as a foreign language (EFL) in Türkiye, using a composite survey. Correlation coefficients revealed a strong positive link between FLE and FLSE, a moderate negative link between FLCA and FLSE, and a small negative link between FLCA and FLE, all at significant levels. Structural equation modeling results demonstrated that FLCA negatively impacted FLSE, both directly and indirectly through partial mediation of FLE. Therefore, boosting FLE in foreign language learning settings can both help enhance students’ FLSE and partially mitigate the negative influence of FLCA on FLSE. Pedagogical implications are offered to foster emotionally supportive learning environments by maximizing enjoyment, thereby promoting higher self-efficacy and buffering the disruptive impact of heightened anxiety in L2 classes. These include providing topic and task alternatives based on student needs and interests, using regular student feedback sessions, and implementing enjoyment-focused pre- and in-service teacher education practices to optimize enjoyment in L2 classes.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee for Social and Human Sciences of Akdeniz University (Approval Date: April 29, 2024; Approval No. 904127).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Other Fields of Education (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Funda Ölmez-Çağlar ^*
0000-0001-6114-8445
Türkiye

Gonca Nur Ölmez
0000-0002-3381-6730
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

July 24, 2026

Publication Date

August 10, 2026

Submission Date

February 17, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 5, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.1891637

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA23MP42BA

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ölmez-Çağlar, F., & Ölmez, G. N. (2026). Alleviating the Burden of Anxiety: Enjoyment as a Shield for Foreign Language Self-Efficacy. Sakarya University Journal of Education, 16(2), 211-225. https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.1891637

AMA

1.Ölmez-Çağlar F, Ölmez GN. Alleviating the Burden of Anxiety: Enjoyment as a Shield for Foreign Language Self-Efficacy. SUJE. 2026;16(2):211-225. doi:10.19126/suje.1891637

Chicago

Ölmez-Çağlar, Funda, and Gonca Nur Ölmez. 2026. “Alleviating the Burden of Anxiety: Enjoyment As a Shield for Foreign Language Self-Efficacy”. Sakarya University Journal of Education 16 (2): 211-25. https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.1891637.

EndNote

Ölmez-Çağlar F, Ölmez GN (August 1, 2026) Alleviating the Burden of Anxiety: Enjoyment as a Shield for Foreign Language Self-Efficacy. Sakarya University Journal of Education 16 2 211–225.

IEEE

[1]F. Ölmez-Çağlar and G. N. Ölmez, “Alleviating the Burden of Anxiety: Enjoyment as a Shield for Foreign Language Self-Efficacy”, SUJE, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 211–225, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.19126/suje.1891637.

ISNAD

Ölmez-Çağlar, Funda - Ölmez, Gonca Nur. “Alleviating the Burden of Anxiety: Enjoyment As a Shield for Foreign Language Self-Efficacy”. Sakarya University Journal of Education 16/2 (August 1, 2026): 211-225. https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.1891637.

JAMA

1.Ölmez-Çağlar F, Ölmez GN. Alleviating the Burden of Anxiety: Enjoyment as a Shield for Foreign Language Self-Efficacy. SUJE. 2026;16:211–225.

MLA

Ölmez-Çağlar, Funda, and Gonca Nur Ölmez. “Alleviating the Burden of Anxiety: Enjoyment As a Shield for Foreign Language Self-Efficacy”. Sakarya University Journal of Education, vol. 16, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 211-25, doi:10.19126/suje.1891637.

Vancouver

1.Funda Ölmez-Çağlar, Gonca Nur Ölmez. Alleviating the Burden of Anxiety: Enjoyment as a Shield for Foreign Language Self-Efficacy. SUJE. 2026 Aug. 1;16(2):211-25. doi:10.19126/suje.1891637