Factors Causing Language Speaking Anxiety In Classroom English Language Essay

Factors Causing Language Speaking Anxiety In Classroom English Language Essay In the last few decades, considerable effort has been devoted to recognising the role of anxiety in L2 learning. Such studies (Scovel, 1978; Horwitz, 1986; Spolsky, 1989; Phillips, 1992; Maclntyre Grander, 1994; Baker Maclntyre, 2000; Cheng, 2004) have provided us with useful information about anxiety that has recently acknowledged one of the main barriers that impedes L2 learning (Brown, 2007; Grander, 2001 cited in Pritchard, 2007). According to Abdul Aziz (2005), it is vital to realize the role of anxiety and its affect on the process of language learning since it ranks high among factors that can influence language learning, regardless of whether the setting is formal or informal. So what is meant by anxiety and to what refers language anxiety? What are the reasons that prevent students from participating in language classes and make them resort to silence? What causes their language anxiety? And, from which sources does it stem? Such questions will be answering in this chapter alongside reviewing some previous studies on second/foreign language anxiety. 2.2. Definition of Anxiety The term anxiety in general, has been defined by Scovel (1978, p.134) as a state of apprehension, (and) a vague fear. It is a complicated phenomenon to describe since it arises from various sources. People usually are not able to specify the exact emission of their nervousness and anxiety. However, it is worth mentioning that although there are several studies that have dealt with such an area, Horwitz was the first investigator of foreign language classroom anxiety (Liu, 2006). Horwitz claims that anxiety experienced by L2 learners is unique to the learning process and completely different from other types of anxiety (1986). Language anxiety according to Maclntyer and Gardner (1994, p. 284), is a type of anxiety that can be defined as the feeling of tension and apprehension specifically associated with second language contexts, including listening, speaking and learning. Anxious students usually show some signs of panic such as panic stare, white face (and) cold trembling hands (Ganschow Sparks, 2001, a35). On top of that, Abdul Aziz (2005) adds that those students may suffer from headache, blushing and pounding heart. The anxiety symptoms also could be physiological, for example an upset stomach and numbness, or cognitive symptoms such as preoccupation and worry, or behavioural symptoms such as avoidance (Cheng, 1999). 2.3 The Correlation between Anxiety and L2 Learning Some research into language anxiety has considered it to be an important variable that causes negative effects on students performance in class. They maintain that the higher the level of anxiety, the less the students are willing to communicate (Horwitz, 1986; Maclnttyre Gardner, 1994; Baker Maclntyre, 2000). It also points out that anxiety is an aid in raising the affective filter of the learners, resulting in stress, depression or fear and thus blocks the input from being absorbed and processed (Richards Rodgers, 2001; Abdul Aziz, 2005; Harmer, 2009: 58). It has also been noted that such feelings as mentioned above, are mostly centred around listening and speaking tasks with difficulty in speaking in class being the most common complaint of anxious students (Horwitz, 1986; Spolsky, 1989). However it is not necessary for anxious students who allege that they have a mental block in foreign language classes, to have the same feelings in other situations. The same students might be good learners and strongly motivated in other classes. Where some research has proved that even highly proficient language learners experienced different degrees of anxiety (Horwitz: 1986, p. 125; Brown, 2007: 163). On the other hand, there are theorists who argue to the contrary, who say that there is no correlation between anxiety and low achievement. Aida (1994) for example, who studied Japanese learners, has found a negative relationship between the anxiety experienced by the students and their performance. Other researchers asserted that second language performance and anxiety are positively related (e.g., Kleinmann, 1977; Spolsky, 1989), especially facilitative anxiety that is closely related to competitiveness which is considered to be key to successful learning (Brown, 2007: 162). However, such facilitation has only been found when using very simple grammatical structures (and) in all other cases, anxiety has been a debilitating factor in language acquisition (Duxbury Tsai, 2010). With regard to the relationship between anxiety and L2 learning, it is still under debate whether it is the cause or the product of learners low performance, or whether it harms or helps their performance. Is it a negative or a positive factor? Can teachers avoid or ameliorate anxiety in foreign language classes? (Brown, 2007: 163). To date, the research in this segment has not yielded any consistent findings (Matsuda, 2004). The studies surrounding this phenomenon are still under developed and attempts to better clarify it are still being carried out (Bailey, 2000). From the previous discussion, it can be seen that the correlation between anxiety and performance may not be a simple linear one; some factors (e.g., culture and learners proficiency) could also play a part (Na, Z., 2007). 2.4 What Factors Could Boost Language Anxiety? Horwitz et al. (1986) has pointed out some related causal factors for second language anxiety which can be summarised by: (1) communication apprehension, which is a type of shyness characterised by fear or anxiety about communication with people, (2) fear of negative evaluation and (3) test-anxiety. The example of I am usually at ease during tests in my class language (Woodrow, 2006) clarifies test-anxiety. There are other factors associated with the learners themselves and the environment of their language classes. Such factors are: self perception, learners beliefs about language learning, and the instructors beliefs about language teaching and classroom procedure (Tanveer, 2007). Other factors include age, gender, motivation and lack of confidence (Horwitz, 1986; Sparks Ganschow, 1991; Baker Maclntyre, 2000; Ohata, 2005). All of the things mentioned above, and many other factors contribute to existing L2 anxiety.

A Woman’s Place Is In the Home Essay

The saying â€Å"A Woman’s Place Is In the Home† seems extremely provokative to me. I refuse to accept this idea. I strongly believe that a woman should develop some professional skills and have a job. Anyway, the question ‘to work or not to work’ is quite often raised in many families because the issue is not so clear. In my presentation I’d like to dwell on the advantages and disadvantages of the situation in which a woman has to combine family and career. I will start with the drawbacks the family may suffer from. I’ve singled out 5 of them. 1. It’s very hard sometimes to juggle family and career. A woman experiences lack of free time, lack of sleep which may lead to stress and problems with health. 2. A woman may start paying less attention to her husband and her children. As a consequence, they may get dissapointed, they may even feel that their wife and mother doesn’t love them any more. 3. Because of stress a woman may start pouring all her worries to her spouse thus irritating him. It may result in divorse. 4. A woman may retire into herself and her career thus provoking the possibility of adultery on her husband’s part who may seek endearment elsewhere. 5. In case a woman’s career is more successful than that of her spouse it may put a strain on the marriage. Some men just can’t put up with the fact that their wife earns more than they do. Now I will pass to the benefits which the family may have if a woman works. I’ll mebtion 10 of them. 1. Financial aspect – more income. 2. A woman’s self-esteem and fulfillment are developed.   3. Communication with other people beyond the family circle meets social needs of a human being. 4. Family relationships become more balanced, a husband respects his wife, doesn’t reproach her. Equality. 5. A woman feels more affection and love for her family because she misses them. 6. Children become more independent with an internalized sense of responsibility. 7. A woman becomes better groomed and better dressed thus feels happier. 8. Social benefits (insurance policy, social security). 9. Financial independence. A woman becomes a productive and contributing member of the family. 10. A job generates self-discilpline, sets order in life and makes a woman a perfect time-manager. Summing it all up I’d like to  say that I’m absolutely convinced that the benefits mentioned above prevail all the disadvantages. It worths taking risks and truing at least. In my opinion a woman’s place is not only in the home because a woman is a much more talanted and gifted creature than many men believe.

You Are Never Too Old to Do Anything

You are never too old to do anything People that think that elderly people are too old to do the things which the younger generation are quite capable to do are guilty of both; lack of conviction and uncertainty. Long-standing people are just as capable as we are of fulfilling their dreams and living the way that they want to live due to them being more experienced than us in life for which they know more than the younger generation. Undoubtedly, there will be differing opinions from their family members and from the people that care about them about this issue.However, taking the movie Rocky as an example, it was is clearly obvious how outstandingly well talented boxer he was for which he returned in the ring and became a role model for the younger generation looking up to him. Do you think that elderly people are too old to do anything? Furthermore, aged people are not to be doubted on as they have worked harder than us at our age to achieve what they have achieved. This portrays t he determination that elderly people have to achieve their targets and that if they are given a chance they can do unexpected things with their will power.Conversely, it could be bad for their health as well due to their age, as they are getting older their health is becoming a very essential factor because old people’s bones and functions in the body are becoming weaker day by day. As well as that, as you get older your body takes time to respond to new things differently and takes time to adapt. Therefore, there are positive and negative sides to old people doing things that people think that is harmful for them.Moreover, Fauja Singh for example is known as a veteran because he is 101 years old and is continuously participating in marathons and getting past the finish line in 6 hours which he wants to beat to break the record. This portrays the commitment and determination old aged people have when they set themselves a target, in addition, it also demonstrates that when ol d aged men keep fit they can achieve anything they want. In July 2012, Fauja Singh carried the Olympic torch which is a great achievement for a very old man; aged people need a sense of accomplishment to keep them going and also to keep them occupied rather than sitting at home.Obviously, there would have been downfalls to earn this achievement but the accomplishment in the end outweighs the downfalls. On the other hand, other people may be against old people trying to achieve unthinkable goals because they want to give the younger generation a chance. When old people do unthinkable things they are all over the news for doing it due to which the younger generations will get less popularity, they are then compared to veterans. However, when old people return from retirement to do what they want to do, they enjoy doing it for which they maintain a good health and sound mind to improve furthermore.A living example right now for this is a famous football player called Paul Scholes. Neve rtheless, there are some others who might be against this because they think that elderly people are not capable of doing what they want to do anymore therefore they try keep them away from it so that they don’t get harmed or get a critical illness which is very likely as you get old. Caring for your elders is a very superior thing to do and it is understandable but if you really worry about your elders then you should encourage them to do what they want to do.Then again, if older people get a long term injury in doing what they want to do then it will cause a lot of pain not only for the aged person but also to his/her family. After all he/she has responsibilities to fulfil as well, therefore, it is really hard for the old aged people to return doing what they love doing because of their everyday jobs and their family which they now have to look after whether it’s a male or a female they both share equal responsibilities. As a result, if a long term injury occurs then all of these factors can’t be put aside.Alternatively, injuries happen to everyone whether the person is young or old so you can’t stop doing something just because of the risks it has for the reason that everything has risks. To conclude, old people need to motivated and encouraged to do what they want to do because an elder doing something, even just participating, gives them a sense of accomplishment which is better than sitting at home depressed. I am aware of the risks of physical injuries and internal damages that may occur but no one should give up on doing something before trying.These elders can inspire the younger generation at the end of the day, therfore; I think elderly people should be motivated in doing what they want to do. 6 5 4 3 2 1 To conclude, old people need to motivated and encouraged to do what they want to do because an elder doing something, even just participating, gives them a sense of accomplishment which is better than sitting at home dep ressed. I am aware of the risks of physical injuries and internal damages that may occur but no one should give up on doing something before trying.These elders can inspire the younger generation at the end of the day, therefore; I think elderly people should be motivated in doing what they want to do. Then again, if older people get a long term injury in doing what they want to do then it will cause a lot of pain not only for the aged person but also to his/her family. After all he/she has responsibilities to fulfil as well, therefore, it is really hard for the old aged people to return doing what they love doing because of their everyday jobs and their family which they now have to look after whether it’s a male or a female they both share equal responsibilities.As a result, if a long term injury occurs then all of these factors can’t be put aside. Alternatively, injuries happen to everyone whether the person is young or old so you can’t stop doing something j ust because of the risks it has for the reason that everything has risks. On the other hand, other people may be against old people trying to achieve unthinkable goals because they want to give the younger generation a chance. When old people do unthinkable things they are all over the news for doing it due to which the younger generations will get less popularity, they are then compared to veterans.However, when old people return from retirement to do what they want to do, they enjoy doing it for which they maintain a good health and sound mind to improve furthermore. A living example right now for this is a famous football player called Paul Scholes. Nevertheless, there are some others who might be against this because they think that elderly people are not capable of doing what they want to do anymore therefore they try keep them away from it so that they don’t get harmed or get a critical illness which is very likely as you get old.Caring for your elders is a very superio r thing to do and it is understandable but if you really worry about your elders then you should encourage them to do what they want to do. Furthermore, aged people are not to be doubted on as they have worked harder than us at our age to achieve what they have achieved. This portrays the determination that elderly people have to achieve their targets and that if they are given a chance they can do unexpected things with their will power.Conversely, it could be bad for their health as well due to their age, as they are getting older their health is becoming a very essential factor because old people’s bones and functions in the body are becoming weaker day by day. As well as that, as you get older your body takes time to respond to new things differently and takes time to adapt. Therefore, there are positive and negative sides to old people doing things that people think that is harmful for them.People that think that elderly people are too old to do the things which the youn ger generation are quite capable to do are guilty of both; lack of conviction and uncertainty. Long-standing people are just as capable as we are of fulfilling their dreams and living the way that they want to live due to them being more experienced than us in life for which they know more than the younger generation. Undoubtedly, there will be differing opinions from their family members and from the people that care about them about this issue.However, taking the movie Rocky as an example, it was is clearly obvious how outstandingly well talented boxer he was for which he returned in the ring and became a role model for the younger generation looking up to him. Do you think that elderly people are too old to do anything? Moreover, Fauja Singh for example is known as a veteran because he is 101 years old and is continuously participating in marathons and getting past the finish line in 6 hours which he wants to beat to break the record.This portrays the commitment and determination old aged people have when they set themselves a target, in addition, it also demonstrates that when old aged men keep fit they can achieve anything they want. In July 2012, Fauja Singh carried the Olympic torch which is a great achievement for a very old man, aged people need a sense of accomplishment to keep them going and also to keep them occupied rather than sitting at home. Obviously, there would have been downfalls to earn this achievement but the accomplishment in the end outweighs the downfalls.

A Speech Criticizing A Modern Court Case - 1662 Words

For my adaptation I chose to write a speech criticizing a modern court case basing my writing off the work of the famous orator Cicero. I wrote as if I was part of the infamous court case about the shooting of Trayvon Martin; in the case I represent the late Trayvon martin and cross examine the defendant George Zimmerman. In this case a mixed race, hispanic man, named George Zimmerman encountered Trayvon Martin, a young African American teenager, walking home from a 7-11 in through the neighborhood Zimmerman was patrolling as a night watchman. Zimmerman saw Trayvon Martin and followed him in his car because he thought he looked suspicious so Trayvon began to run so George chased after him and then got out of his car and had a physical altercation with the teen. However Trayvon escaped Zimmerman temporarily and was running for his life when Zimmerman shot him with his handgun and killed the boy in his neighborhood. 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