Factors associated with second language anxiety in adolescents from different cultural backgrounds

Anxiety has long been a crucial factor affecting second language acquisition (Spielmann & Radnofsky, 2001). Many immigrant students are reported to carry with them insecurity and anxiety because of their low level of English language proficiency (Krashen, 1985). With feelings of discomfort and insecurity, English Learners find it difficult to share their opinions and participate in class discussions. The purpose of this study was to understand to what extent Spanish and Chinese speaking EL high school students feel anxiety when they are participating in ESL classrooms. This research was an attempt to get inside the "lived experiences" of second language learners from different cultural backgrounds to try and better understand how, why and in what ways they experience anxiety when learning English as a second language. Questionnaires were administered to 20 Spanish-speaking and 20 Chinese-speaking students in two different ESL classes. Interviews were further conducted with nine students from each class whose overall anxiety levels were highest, medium, and lowest. The results of this study demonstrated that there are differences in anxiety factors depending on students' cultural backgrounds based on four key anxiety factors (Cultural, Psychological, Pedagogical, and Linguistic). However, similarities were found mainly in the impact of cultural differences on second language anxiety for both Spanish and Chinese speaking English learners. In all other areas, there were significant difference between Spanish and Chinese speaking ELs. This research concluded that EL teachers must have a better understanding of the importance of learning about the cultural differences of their students to avoid causing students' second language anxiety. It is important for teachers of English learners to establish a positive learning environment with attention to students varied cultural needs to ensure that all students have an opportunity to learn.