LLT Journal: A Journal on Language and Language Teaching
Vol 24, No 2 (2021): October 2021

FOREIGN LANGUAGE READING ANXIETY AMONG THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT STUDENTS: CONTRIBUTING FACTORS AND ALLEVIATING STRATEGIES

Jeane Theresia Limeranto (Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana)
Adaninggar Septi Subekti (Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Oct 2021

Abstract

The study investigated factors contributing to English for Theology students’ Foreign Language Reading Anxiety (FLRA) and their strategies to alleviate it. This study was the continuation of a quantitative study involving 63 Theology student participants which found that their FLRA was significantly correlated with their reading achievement negatively. It was also conducted to fill the void in the FLRA literature in the Indonesian university context especially in Theology department necessitating learners to read a lot of passages in English, possibly quite anxiety-provoking for learners. Four selected participants from the previous quantitative study were interviewed and the data were analysed using Thematic Analysis. The study found that low self-confidence, lack of peer support, low self-perceived language competence, low motivation, and unfamiliar vocabulary increased learners' FLRA. Teachers' various methods, emphasising group activities were found to reduce their FLRA whilst whole-class reading activities tended to increase their FLRA. Furthermore, the uses of various reading strategies taught in class to comprehend texts were reported to reduce their FLRA to a certain extent depending on the degree of success of learners in using the strategies. Implications, limitations, and suggested directions for future studies were mentioned in light of the study's findings.

Copyrights © 2021






Journal Info

Abbrev

LLT

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

LLT Journal: A Journal on Language and Language Teaching, to be published twice a year, namely in April and October, is a scientific peer-reviewed journal published by the English Language Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta. The ...