Examining the influence of foreign language anxiety on organizational strategies and foreign language proficiency in Chinese secondary EFL learners

Meihong Jiang *

Department of Foreign Languages, School of Humanities and Education, Foshan University, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China.
 
Research Article
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2023, 10(01), 883–892.
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2023.10.1.0839
Publication history: 
Received on 05 September 2023; revised on 14 October 2023; accepted on 17 October 2023
 
Abstract: 
Academic anxiety is one of the prominent emotions in learning English as a foreign language (EFL), and its impact on foreign language proficiency (FLP) has been extensively documented. However, the mediating effect of cognitive strategies between foreign language anxiety (FLA) and FLP has rarely been explored. In a sample of 524 Chinese secondary school students, the present study investigated the linkage between FLA, organizational strategies, and FLP. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and mediation analysis were conducted, and three findings were identified. First, FLA was negatively correlated with the use of organizational strategies. Second, the negative correlation between FLA and FLP was identified. Third, organizational strategies fully mediated the association between FLA and FLP after controlling for gender and age. Exploring the mediating mechanism between FLA and FLP might help EFL educators take intervention measures to alleviate the negative impact of FLA on foreign language learning. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
 
Keywords: 
Foreign language anxiety; Organizational strategies; Foreign language proficiency; Chinese secondary EFL learners; Mediating mechanism
 
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