Multilingualism and anxiety : evidence from quadrilingual EFL learners

Abstract EN

This article reports on a study that addressed the relationship between anxiety, self-perceived proficiency, and multilingualism, which is an under-researched area in second language learning (Thompson & Lee, 2013).

The current study explores the profiles of 277 quadrilinguals learning English as a Foreign Language in Tunisia.

Using the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale the study found low to moderate levels of foreign language anxiety (FLA) among Tunisian quadrilinguals.

The major sources of anxiety exhibited by participants were related to communication and evaluation.

Results show that background variables such as age, year of study, as well as self-perceived proficiency are predictors of FLA.

Finally, this study reports a significant negative correlation between FLA and language performance.