Language Anxiety Variables and Their Negative Effects on SLA: A Psychosocial Reality in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the psychological and socio-cultural factors that contribute to situation-specific anxiety and impede second language acquisition (SLA). It collected data from a survey questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions with 39 Bangladeshi EFL learners at the tertiary level. The findings indicate that situation-specific anxiety has a negative impact on the acquisition of a second language. This language anxiety stems from distinct personality traits, including fear of public speaking, fear of making mistakes, fear of being negatively judged by teachers and peers, lack of self-confidence, peer comparison, fear of native cultural exclusion, and an overall unfavorable classroom environment. The results imply several psychosocial and individual perspectives which cannot be ignored in the essential concept of second language acquisition. Teachers may use this study as a reference to assist their students in generating better ideas and understanding second language acquisition from the perspective of the learners.