STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF SPEAKING ANXIETY IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AS EFL STUDENTS: PSYCHOLOGICAL VIEW

Abstract

English is widely spoken over the world, so students should improve their English communication skills. Some problems with speaking include language and psychological problems. Psychological problems such as anxiety when learning to speak English. Speaking anxiety is a common issue among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students, and it negatively affects their language learning experience and communication skills. The purpose of this research is to determine students' perceptions of psychological problems related to the phenomenon of speaking anxiety as an EFL student in the English Language based on the theory developed by Hortwitz (1986). This research uses a descriptive qualitative method. The writer collected data using techniques through a questionnaire and Interviews. The respondents of this research are 20 students in the 11th grade in Senior high school student. The results of this investigation show that most of the students are anxious 8 students (40%), followed by those who are very anxious 7 students (35%), and mildly anxious 5 students (25%). Fear of negative evaluation has the highest average score among FLCAS, at 3.80, followed by test anxiety at 3.68 and Communication Apprehension at 3.45. Most students stated psychological factors were the key contributors. Students most often claimed fear of making mistakes in interviews.