Journal of English Language Teaching

Secondary School Students’ Anxiety in Learning English as a Second Language: A Gender Analysis

Dr. R. Vinodh Kumar

Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.

T. Suresh

Post-Graduate Teacher in English, Kalaimagal Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India.

Keywords: English language anxiety, foreign language anxiety, second language learning, secondary school students

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Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the general level of anxiety associated with learning English as a second language among secondary school students. The study also focused on determining whether there was any gender difference in secondary school students’ anxiety about learning English as a second language. As a result, the descriptive survey method was used in this study. The present study’s sample comprises 303 ninthgrade students drawn from six government secondary schools in the Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu State, India. The researchers developed the English language learning anxiety scale to collect data from students. The scale’s validity and reliability have been confirmed using appropriate methods. The data were analyzed using statistical techniques, such as quartile deviation and the ‘t’-test. According to the findings, the majority of the students experienced moderate anxiety while learning English. In addition, boys reported higher levels of English language learning anxiety than girls.

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