Unravelling Language Anxiety: A Bibliometric Analysis of Publications Across Disciplines
Keywords:
Bibliometric Analysis, Foreign Language Anxiety, Language Anxiety, Second Language AcquisitionAbstract
This study provides an in-depth analysis of research trends in language anxiety from 2000 to 2023, based on 248 articles sourced from the Scopus database. It examines the impact of anxiety on language learners, particularly in second language acquisition, highlighting its causes, consequences, and the effectiveness of various interventions. The bibliometric analysis identifies key contributors, influential publications, and research trends across disciplines like social sciences, arts, and psychology. Emerging areas such as digital learning environments are also explored. The study underscores the importance of supportive learning environments and cultural sensitivity in addressing language anxiety. Notable scholars like MacIntyre and Horwitz are acknowledged for their significant contributions. The research emphasizes the need for continued exploration of strategies to reduce anxiety and improve language learning outcomes, offering valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers.
References
Aydın, S., Uştuk, Ö., & Informascope. (2020). A descriptive study on foreign language teaching anxiety. International Online Journal of Education and Teaching. 7(3), 860–876. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1258454.pdf
Chen, T., & Chang, G. (2004). The relationship between foreign language anxiety and learning difficulties. Foreign Language Annals, 37, 279-289. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1944-9720.2004.TB02200.X
Cheng, R., & Erben, A. (2012). Language anxiety. Journal of Studies in International Education, 16, 477 - 497. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315311421841
Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285-296.
Dörnyei, Z. (2005). The psychology of the language learner: Individual differences in second language acquisition. Lawrence Erlbaum. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410613349
Fattahi Marnani, P., & Cuocci, S. (2022). Foreign language anxiety: A review on theories, causes, consequences and implications for educators. Journal of English Learner Education, 14(2), 2.
Gregersen, T. (2005). Nonverbal cues: Clues to the detection of foreign language anxiety. Foreign Language Annals, 38, 388-400. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1944-9720.2005.TB02225.X
Hakim, B. M. (2019). A study of language anxiety among English language learners in Saudi Arabia. Arab World English Journal, 10(1), 64–72. https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol10no1.6
Jin, Y., Dewaele, J., & MacIntyre, P. (2021). Reducing anxiety in the foreign language classroom: A positive psychology approach. System, 101, 102604. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SYSTEM.2021.102604
Luo, H. (2013). Foreign language anxiety: Past and future. Chinese Journal of Applied Linguistics, 36, 442 - 464. https://doi.org/10.1515/CJAL-2013-0030
MacIntyre, P. D. (2017). 2. An overview of language anxiety research and trends in its development. In C. Gkonou, M. Daubney & J. Dewaele. (Eds.), New insights into language anxiety: Theory, research and educational implications (pp. 11–30). Blue Ridge Summit: Multilingual Matters. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781783097722-003
MacIntyre, P. D., & Gardner, R. C. (1994). The subtle effects of language anxiety on cognitive processing in the second language. Language Learning, 44(2), 283-305.
MacIntyre, P. D., & McGillivray, M. F. (2023). The inner workings of anxiety in second language learning. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 43, 88–104.https://doi.org/10.1017/s0267190523000065
MacIntyre, P. D., Clément, R., Dörnyei, Z., & Noels, K. A. (1998). Conceptualizing willingness to communicate in a L2: A situational model of L2 confidence and affiliation. The Modern Language Journal, 82(4), 545-562.
MacIntyre, P., & Gregersen, T. (2012). Affect: The role of language anxiety and other emotions in language learning. In S. Mercer, S. Ryan, M. Williams. (Eds.) Psychology for Language Learning. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137032829_8
MacIntyre, PD. (1998). Conceptualizing willingness to communicate in a L2: A situational model of L2 confidence and affiliation. The Modern Language Journal, 82, 545–562. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1998.tb05543.x
Nilsson, M. (2019). Foreign language anxiety. Apples - Journal of Applied Language Studies. https://doi.org/10.17011/apples/urn.201902191584
Paul, J., Lim, W. M., O’Cass, A., Hao, A. W., & Bresciani, S. (2021). Scientific procedures and rationales for systematic literature reviews (SPAR‐4‐SLR). International Journal of Consumer Studies, 45(4), 1–16.
Saito, Y., & Samimy, K. K. (1996). Foreign language anxiety and language performance: A study of learner anxiety in beginning, intermediate, and advanced‐level college students of Japanese. Foreign Language Annals, 29(2), 239–249. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.1996.tb02330.x
Sajedi, R. (2017). EFL learners’ anxiety and their language achievement. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 15, 1118-1121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-016-9685-z
Szyszka, M., & Baran-Łucarz, M. (2022, May 18-20). Foreign language learners’ ethnocentric tendencies and their L2 accentedness [Paper Presentation]. 7th International Conference on English Pronunciation: Issues and Practices (EPIP 7), Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble
Tanveer, M. (2007). Investigation of the factors that cause language anxiety for ESL/EFL learners [M.Ed. Dissertation, University of Glasgow], Research Gate. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1995.1129
Tati, J., Paul, C., & Golingi, L. (2016). English language speaking anxiety among community college learners: how can it be overcome? People: International Journal of Social Sciences, 2, 38-53. https://doi.org/10.20319/PIJSS.2016.23.3853
Tran, T., Baldauf, R., & Moni, K. (2013). Foreign language anxiety: Understanding its status and insiders' awareness and attitudes. TESOL Quarterly, 47, 216-243. https://doi.org/10.1002/TESQ.85
Valizadeh, M. (2021). Foreign language anxiety in virtual classrooms during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Turkey. St. Theresa Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 7(1), 54–80. https://journal.stic.ac.th/index.php/sjhs/article/view/256
Zheng, Y., & Cheng, L. (2018). How does anxiety influence language performance? From the perspectives of foreign language classroom anxiety and cognitive test anxiety. Language Testing in Asia, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-018-0065-4