Language Anxiety in Virtual Classrooms: A Study of English Language Learners' Experiences at the HSC Level in Bangladesh

Sultana Yeasmin, Afroza Banu & Md. Shahidul Islam

Apr-May-Jun

Abstract
Language anxiety refers to the fear, apprehension, or nervousness that individuals experience when learning or using a second language. In virtual classrooms, this anxiety can be amplified or altered due to technological and social factors. This study aimed to investigate students' anxiety levels while learning English in a virtual classroom and to identify the underlying causes. This research employed both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to evaluate the extent of language anxiety experienced by English language learners at the HSC level in virtual classrooms in Bangladesh. Eighty HSC students from four colleges in Jhenaidha and Kushtia Districts participated in a questionnaire survey. This study employed a structured questionnaire derived from the original Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) to obtain quantitative data. The questionnaire items focused on communication fear, anxiety around unfavorable evaluation, anxiety during assessments, and the classroom environment. Besides, a semi-structured interview was conducted with 10 students to gain a deeper understanding of the research problem. Data were gathered by Google Forms and face-to-face interviews, thereafter analyzed using SPSS, Microsoft Excel, and thematic analysis. The results indicate that a significant number of students encounter moderate to high levels of language anxiety in online language learning activities. Factors inducing anxiety in students include online English communication, lack of immediate feedback from peers, difficulty in establishing rapport with classmates and teachers, and encountering technical malfunctions. The findings indicate that digital strategies, supportive educator conduct, and an improved online learning environment can mitigate student fear. These findings enable educators and policymakers to identify strategies to reduce anxiety and enhance the effectiveness of virtual language training in HSC level education in Bangladesh.

Keyword: Language Anxiety, Virtual Classrooms, English Language Learners, HSC Level, Bangladesh

Research Area: ELT

Country: Bangladesh

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