Abstract
This study investigated the language anxiety levels of ESL learners, specifically among BSED English 1A and 1B students of School Year 2024–2025 at Cagayan State University-Andrews Campus. It examined the respondents’ personal and academic profiles and assessed their language anxiety across six categories: Speaking Activity, Writing Activity, Error Correction, Communicating with English Speakers, Negative Self-Perception, and Non-Comprehension (Jugo, 2020). A mixed-method research design was employed, utilizing Rhodora Jugo’s (2020) English Language Anxiety Scale (ELAS) and a researcher-made questionnaire to gain deeper insights into the challenges and coping mechanisms of the respondents. The findings show that ESL learners demonstrated low levels of language anxiety, with speaking Activity identified as a moderate source of anxiety, while other factors registered low anxiety levels. There was also no significant difference in anxiety levels based on sex, age, ethnicity, strand, and language exposure. However, academic achievement showed a statistically significant difference in anxiety levels. As a result, the study recommends the implementation of targeted workshops, awareness programs, and support services to address language anxiety, as well as peer-assessment and teacher feedback mechanisms.References
Abduljawad, S. (2024). Teachers to learners: portfolio, please! new techniques of portfolio assessment in esl classrooms. International Journal of Learning Teaching and Educational Research, 23(4), 34-51. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.23.4.3
Aboagye, A., Lomotey, C., & Debrah-Amofah, J. (2023). A pivotal stride towards learner autonomy: utilising language learning strategies in an esl university. Reila Journal of Research and Innovation in Language, 5(3), 266-286. https://doi.org/10.31849/reila.v5i3.15895
Abood, M. et. al. (2019). The relationship between self-esteem and second language anxiety among Hashemite University students in Jordan. Journal of Educational & Psychological Research, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.33140/jepr.01.01.04
Abrar, M., Mukminin, A., Habibi, A., Asyrafi, F., Makmur, M., & Marzulina, L. (2018). “If our English isn’t a language, what is it?” Indonesian EFL student teachers’ challenges speaking English. The Qualitative Report. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2018.3013Ahmed, N., Pathan, Z., & Khan, F. (2017). Exploring the causes of english language speaking anxiety among postgraduate students of university of balochistan, pakistan. International Journal of English Linguistics, 7(2), 99. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijel.v7n2p99
Al-Shaibani, G., Fong, Y., Ravindran, L., & Al-Shaibani, G. (2022). Oral presentation anxiety among undergraduate malaysian chinese students in a private university. Asean Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.17576/ajtlhe.1401.2022.06
Alias, A. and Rashid, N. (2018). The relationship between students’ second language learning anxiety and language proficiency. Journal of Counseling and Educational Technology, 1(2), 50. https://doi.org/10.32698/0141
Ali, T. and Fei, W. (2016). Foreign language classroom anxiety among iraqi students and its relation with gender and achievement. International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature, 6(1), 305. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.6n.1p.305
Alisoy, H. (2024). The role of teacher feedback in enhancing esl learners' writing proficiency. Global Spectrum of Research and Humanities, 1(2), 65-72. https://doi.org/10.69760/1rmdzx45
Altun, M. (2023). The impact of speaking anxiety on the development of communication skills. International Journal of Social Sciences and Educational Studies, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.23918/ijsses.v10i2p104
Ansari, M.S. (2015). Speaking Anxiety in ESL / EFL Classrooms : A Holistic Approach and Practical Study. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Speaking-Anxiety-in-ESL-EFL-Classrooms-%3A-A-Holistic-Ansari/b3480c4977df6c8c770bbd8c1ae948f9dd604aa2
Anudin, A., Dalisay, R., Jacinto, M., Pinay-an, E., & Sy, D. (2022). Speaking and writing anxiety and efficacy beliefs of esl students in spoken and written discourse. Romblon State University Research Journal, 4(1), 28-33. https://doi.org/10.58780/rsurj.v4i1.93
Aportobo, R. (2024). Language anxiety of esl learners: a phenomenological inquiry. Canadian Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.53103/cjlls.v4i1.146
Ariani, S., Sunggingwati, D., & Iswari, W. (2017). Foreign language anxiety and English achievement of eighth grade students of MTS Sulaiman Yasin samarinda in the 2011/2012 academic year. Calls (Journal of Culture Arts Literature and Linguistics), 2(2), 17. https://doi.org/10.30872/calls.v2i2.694
Atanacio-Blas, F., Meraña, M., Averion, R., Badanoy, M., Leon, A., & Ragudo, Y. (2018). Articulated difficulties of grade 11 students at taytay senior high school (tshs) in english proficiency. People International Journal of Social Sciences, 3(3), 1186-1202. https://doi.org/10.20319/pijss.2018.33.11861202
Back, M., Han, M., & Weng, S. (2020). Emotional scaffolding for emergent multilingual learners through translanguaging: case stories. Language and Education, 34(5), 387-406. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2020.1744638
BERNAL, A. (2021). The mediating effect of classroom learning environment on the relationship between filipino language anxiety and coping strategies. International Journal of Language and Literary Studies, 3(4), 60-72. https://doi.org/10.36892/ijlls.v3i4.725
Cailao, C.G., & Diva, C. (2024). A Phenomenological Study of College ESL Speakers' Experiences in Acquiring English as a Second Language. International Journal of Scientific and Management Research. https://doi.org/10.37502/ijsmr.2024.7704
Cisneros, L. (2024). Addressing emotional aspects in the second language learning processes. How, 31(1), 167-185. https://doi.org/10.19183/how.31.1.704
Choi, S. (2013). Language anxiety in second language writing: Is it really a stumbling block?.
Cordero, A. and Santos, B. (2023). Relationship and attributive impact of self-regulation, language learning strategies, and second language anxiety to second language learning of grade 11 students. International Journal of Literacy Culture and Language Education, 4, 4-30. https://doi.org/10.14434/ijlcle.v4i.36048
Daud, N.S., Daud, N.M., & Kassim, N.L. (2016). Second Language Writing Anxiety: Cause Or Effect? https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Second-Language-Writing-Anxiety%3A-Cause-Or-Effect-Daud-Daud/2c9508c9bf1f7eb9d862eb1c64ac895016eeb553
Dayag-Tungpalan, M. (2023). Metacognitive strategies and perceived factors affecting the speaking performance of esl learners. JETT, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.47750/jett.2023.14.02.049
Demirdas, O. and Bozdoğan, D. (2015). Foreign language anxiety and performance of language learners in preparatory classes. Turkish Journal of Education, 2(17341), 0. https://doi.org/10.19128/turje.181060
Diaz, S. (2022). Linguistic Anxiety in Foreign Language Learning Process Preuniversity Level Dominican Students. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmra/v5-i5-36
Dikmen, M. (2022). Efl learners’ foreign language learning anxiety and language performance: a meta-analysis study. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 8(3), 206-222. https://doi.org/10.33200/ijcer.908048
Front. Educ. (2024). A systematic review of empirical studies incorporating English movies as pedagogic aids in English language classroom. Sec. Language, Culture and Diversity. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1383977
Gharaghanipour, A.A., Zareian, A., & Behjat, F. (2015). The Effect of Immediate and Delayed Pronunciation Error Correction on EFL Learners ' Speaking Anxiety. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Effect-of-Immediate-and-Delayed-Pronunciation-'-Gharaghanipour-Zareian/c3ee4a90c377553eb29f0ac5381d3f7100d38a32
Gerencheal, B. (2016). Gender Differences in Foreign Language Anxiety at an Ethiopian University: Mizan-Tepi University Third Year English Major Students in Focus. Journal of Education and Practice, 1, 1-16. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Gender-Differences-in-Foreign-Language-Anxiety-at-Gerencheal/f1991e3413d7f66d125c4b6753e2bf64f5c64bfa
Gregersen, T. (2020). Dynamic properties of language anxiety. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching. https://doi.org/10.14746/ssllt.2020.10.1.4
Guibangguibang, H.R. (2020). Association between Oral Error Corrections of University Teacher and English Majors’ Language Anxiety in Philippine Higher Education Context. https://doi.org/10.26858/IJOLE.V4I2.13601
Haufiku, I., Mashebe, P., & Abah, J. (2023). Strategies used by english second language teachers to cope with teaching challenges. Ele Reviews English Language Education Reviews, 3(1), 46-65. https://doi.org/10.22515/elereviews.v3i1.6886
Horwitz, E. K., Horwitz, M. B., & Cope, J. (1986). Foreign language classroom anxiety. Modern Language Journal, 70(2), 125–132. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1986.tb05256.x
Hulaifah, N. & Sibuea, T. (2023). Language Anxiety Among English Foreign Language Learners. KnE Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v8i12.13686
Hwa, S.P., & Peck, W.K. (2017). Gender Differences In Speaking Anxiety Among English As A Second Language Learners In A Malaysian Tertiary Context.
Jamshed, M., Fatma, G., Hussain, N., & Banu, S. (2024). Exploring english language anxiety among undergraduate female esl learners in mewat region of haryana, india. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 14(3), 874-882. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1403.30
Jugo, R. (2020). Language Anxiety in Focus: The Case of Filipino Undergraduate Teacher Education Learners. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/7049837
Kabigting, R. et.al. (2020). Anxiety and Writing Ability of Filipino ESL Learners. International Journal of Linguistics Literature & Translation. https://doi.org/10.32996/ijllt.2020.3.7.14
Kao, P., Chen, K.T., & Craigie, P. (2017). Gender differences in strategies for coping with foreign language learning anxiety. Social Behavior and Personality, 45, 205-210. https://doi.org/10.2224/SBP.5771
KAPLAN, T. and ÖZKÖSE, E. (2023). Comparative study of some factors affecting foreign language learning of youth and adults. International Journal of Arts Humanities & Social Science, 04(10), 23-26. https://doi.org/10.56734/ijahss.v4n10a3
Kashinathan, S. and Aziz, A. (2021). Esl learners’ challenges in speaking english in malaysian classroom. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v10-i2/10355
Khan, S. M. (2015). Influence of speech anxiety on oral communication skills among ESL/EFL learners. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 6(6), 49-53. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1127504
Khouya, Y. (2025). Gender Differences in English Language Anxiety among Moroccan University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. American Journal of Human Psychology. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajhp.v3i1.3761
Krashen, S. D., Magnan, S. S., & Terrell, T. D. (1984). The natural approach: language acquisition in the classroom. Modern Language Journal, 68(3), 277. https://doi.org/10.2307/328020
Le, Y. (2024). Factors causing college students' english speaking anxiety. Applied & Educational Psychology, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.23977/appep.2024.050122
Leong, L. and Ahmadi, S. (2017). An analysis of factors influencing learners’ english speaking skill. International Journal of Research in English Education, 2(1), 34-41. https://doi.org/10.18869/acadpub.ijree.2.1.34
Li, H. (2015). A study of efl listening anxiety in a test setting. International Journal of English Linguistics, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.5539/ijel.v5n2p106
Li, Y. (2023). A review of studies on foreign language anxiety. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media, 28(1), 49-53. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/28/20231245
Liao, H. and Huang, S. (2022). The impact of reading anxiety of english professional materials on intercultural communication competence: taking students majoring in the medical profession. Sustainability, 14(24), 16980. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416980
Lindberg, R., McDonough, K., & Trofimovich, P. (2022). Second language anxiety in conversation and its relationship with speakers’ perceptions of the interaction and their social networks. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 45(5), 1413-1426. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0272263122000523
Macaro, E., Curle, S., Pun, J., An, J., & Dearden, J. (2017). A systematic review of english medium instruction in higher education. Language Teaching, 51(1), 36-76. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0261444817000350
Magno, J., Indal, R., Chavez, J., Garil, B., & Reyes, R. (2024). Alternative teaching strategies in learning filipino language among dominant english speakers. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 6(4), 404-419. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i4.6742
Mahmoud, S. (2024). Understanding the Impact of Anxiety on Students' Language Proficiency. https://doi.org/10.37376/glj.vi71.5857
Meniado, J. (2016). Metacognitive reading strategies, motivation, and reading comprehension performance of saudi efl students. English Language Teaching, 9(3), 117. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v9n3p117
Milan, M.C. (2019). ENGLISH SPEAKING ANXIETY: SOURCES, COPING MECHANISMS, AND TEACHER MANAGEMENT. PUPIL: International Journal of Teaching, Education and Learning. https://doi.org/10.20319/PIJTEL.2019.52.0128
Miskam, N. and Saidalvi, A. (2018). Investigating english language speaking anxiety among malaysian undergraduate learners. Asian Social Science, 15(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v15n1p1
Mokhtar, Z., Amran, M., & Roslee, M. (2021). With emotions, we learn: understanding emotions in learning english as a second language (esl). International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v10-i3/9932
Ocampo, D. (2023). Translanguaging and reading comprehension of filipino esl intermediate learners. J. Nat. Lang. Linguist., 1(1), 13-21. https://doi.org/10.54536/jnll.v1i1.1510
Orge, P. et.al (2024). Challenges in Speaking English Language among Education Students. Mediterranean Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences (MJBAS) Volume 8, Issue 3, Pages 33-41. https://doi.org/10.46382/MJBAS.2024.8304
Paneerselvam, A. and Mohamad, M. (2019). Learners’ challenges and english educators’ approaches in teaching speaking skills in an esl classroom: a literature review. Creative Education, 10(13), 3299-3305. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2019.1013253
Piniel, K., & Zólyomi, A. (2022). Gender differences in foreign language classroom anxiety: Results of a meta-analysis. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching, 12(2), 173–203. https://doi.org/10.14746/ssllt.2022.12.2.2
Quijano, H. (2022). Impact of anxiety in english language learning of second language learners. https://doi.org/10.57030/23364890.cemj.30.4.7
Quinto, E.J., & Macayan, J.V. (2019). Exploring English Speaking Anxiety Among Filipino Engineering Students: Its Influence on Task Performance and Its Sources. GEMA Online® Journal of Language Studies. https://doi.org/10.17576/gema-2019-1903-04
Rajendran, T. and Yunus, M. (2021). A systematic literature review on the use of mobile-assisted language learning (mall) for enhancing speaking skills among esl and efl learners. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v10-i1/8939
Rao, P.S. (2019). The importance of speaking skills in English classrooms. Alford Council of International English & Literature Journal (ACIELJ), 2(2): 6–18. https://tinyurl.com/4s6dwu4c.
Sabri, S., et.al. (2021). Causes of Language Anxiety in an ESL Classroom: Towards a Mentally Healthier Learning Environment. International Journal of Asian Social Science. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.1.2021.119.452.460
Saefurrohman, S. (2021). Age, gender, level, and grade effect on foreign language learning strategy.. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.19-12-2020.2309189
Sana, A. & Atta, A. (2024). Addressing Language Anxiety in ESL Students: Identifying the Root Causes and Useful Coping Strategies. PAKISTAN LANGUAGES AND HUMANITIES REVIEW. https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2024(8-i)30
Shahhoseini, H. & Khansir, A. (2024). Language Errors among Iranian EFL Students with High and Low Levels of Writing Anxiety. https://doi.org/10.54392/ijll2422
Sparks, R., Patton, J., & Luebbers, J. (2018). L2 anxiety and the foreign language reading anxiety scale: listening to the evidence. Foreign Language Annals, 51(4), 738-762. https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12361
Suhardi, S. and Harida, R. (2024). English education freshmen’ experience on language learning anxiety. SALIENCE, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.60155/salience.v4i2.479
Sun, Z. (2023). Foreign Language Anxiety in SLA. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/29/20231530
Taddese, E., Gessel, D., & Han, X. (2021). Chinese language learning anxiety: the case of international students in northeast normal university. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 14(18), 1434-1441. https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/v14i18.26
Tai, K.W & Wang, X. (2024): Exploring ethnic minority students’ perspectives on anxiety in learning Chinese as an additional language: an interpretative phenomenological analysis, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, DOI: 10.1080/01434632.2024.2368053
Taly, B. and Paramasivam, S. (2020). Speaking anxiety among postgraduate international students in the academic context of a university in malaysia. International Journal of Linguistics, 12(1), 198. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijl.v12i1.16053
Tan, K., Rajendran, A., Muslim, N., Alias, J., & Yusof, N. (2022). The potential of tiktok’s key features as a pedagogical strategy for esl classrooms. Sustainability, 14(24), 16876. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416876
Waked, A.N., El Alaoui, K., & Pilotti, M.A. (2023). Second-language writing anxiety and its correlates: A challenge to sustainable education in a post-pandemic world. Cogent Education, 10. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2280309
Wang, P. and Roopchund, R. (2015). Chinese students’ english-speaking anxiety in asking questions in the msc tesol classroom. International Journal of English Language Teaching, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.5430/ijelt.v2n2p1
Weerakoon, I., Zhang, Z., & Maniam, V. (2023). A systematic review of sources of english language anxiety. Sri Lanka Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(1), 117-125. https://doi.org/10.4038/sljssh.v3i1.92
Wei, M., Liang, Y., Du, Y., Botello, R., & Li, C. (2015). Moderating effects of perceived language discrimination on mental health outcomes among chinese international students.. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 6(3), 213-222. https://doi.org/10.1037/aap0000021
Wörde, R.V. (2003). Students’ Perspectives on Foreign Language Anxiety. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ876838.pdf
Xu, Y., & Xie, Z. (2024). Exploring the predictors of foreign language anxiety: the roles of language proficiency, language exposure, and cognitive control. Frontiers in psychiatry, 15, 1492701. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1492701
Ying, Y., Siang, W., & Mohamad, M. (2021). The challenges of learning english skills and the integration of social media and video conferencing tools to help esl learners coping with the challenges during covid-19 pandemic: a literature review. Creative Education, 12(07), 1503-1516. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2021.127115
Zheng, Y. and Cheng, L. (2018). How does anxiety influence language performance? from the perspectives of foreign language classroom anxiety and cognitive test anxiety. Language Testing in Asia, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-018-0065-4
Zulfikar, Z. (2022). Reducing efl learners’ speaking anxiety through selective error correction and group work. Let Linguistics Literature and English Teaching Journal, 12(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.18592/let.v12i1.6391

