Language Anxiety across the Four Language Skills among Non-Native English Speakers at Thai Universities

Saiwaroon  Chumpavan; Aleksei Nekhaev; Sirawich Tampanich

doi:10.66121/wh0yyk20

Authors

Saiwaroon Chumpavan Assistant Professor, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3924-9980
Aleksei Nekhaev Instructor, Shinawatra University, Thailand. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5830-8783
Sirawich Tampanich Instructor, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9546-0583

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66121/wh0yyk20

Keywords:

Foreign language anxiety, Writing anxiety, Gender differences

Abstract

This study examines language anxiety patterns across four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) among 109 university students (79 Thai, 29 Chinese) at Thai universities. The Anxiety in English Language Learning Questionnaire results demonstrated that writing anxiety was highest (M = 3.45), followed by speaking (M = 2.90), listening (M = 2.76), and reading (M = 2.65). Chinese students reported higher anxiety than Thai students across every skill, particularly in reading (difference = 0.99) and listening (difference = 0.79). Female students had higher anxiety in writing, with the highest mean for essay correction (M = 3.99), followed by participating in discussions. Students employed various coping strategies, including preparation, deep breathing, and AI tools (ChatGPT, Grammarly). The findings reveal the need for targeted, skill-specific interventions that account for nationality and gender differences in the language learning context.

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Author Biographies

Saiwaroon Chumpavan, Assistant Professor, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand.

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Aleksei Nekhaev, Instructor, Shinawatra University, Thailand.

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Sirawich Tampanich, Instructor, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand.

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