A Study On Language Learning Strategy And Foreign Language Anxiety For Adult Learners

Language learning strategy (LLS) and foreign language anxiety (FLA) have long been two hot topics that have received considerable attention from a great number of researchers. In recent years, an increasing concern on the relationship between FLA and LLS emerged. Though much work has been done, little attention has been paid to the relationship between FLA and LLS for adult learners in China, not to mention reducing adult learners'FLA through LLS training. The present study was undertaken to find out the relationship and try to reduce adult learners'FLA through LLS training. A survey was conducted to examine the characteristics of LLS and FLA and the relationship between FLA and LLS for adult learners. Two questionnaires (SILL and FLCAS) were employed as instruments in the study, in which 120 adult learners in Continuing Education College of Chongqing University participated. Two statistical procedures were applied: One-way ANOVA and Spearson correlations. Besides, a case study was carried out to testify whether adult learners'FLA could be reduced effectively by means of LLS training. 18 adult learners of high-anxious group participated in the case study as trainees, multiple instruments were employed: diaries, discussion and interview. The results demonstrated that adult learners were using LLS at a low level and experiencing FLA at a high level, LLS uses for adult learners of three anxiety levels were significantly different, FLA types and LLS categories were negatively correlated and most correlations were statistically significant, the most significant one was between metacognitive strategy and test anxiety, metacognitive strategy training was an effective way to reduce adult learners'FLA especially test anxiety. The implications for English teachers to adult learner are that special attention should be paid to adult learners'LLS use and FLA and that LLS training may be integrated into English curriculum to reduce adult learners'FLA and enable them learn English more independently and effectively.