Sources of Foreign Language Teaching Anxiety Among Saudi Preservice English Teachers: A Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract

This study sought to explore the sources of foreign language teaching anxiety experienced by non-native preservice English as foreign language (EFL) teachers. Fourteen preservice Saudi EFL teachers enrolled in a public university participated in this study during their teaching practicum. The study used a qualitative research design with an in-depth semi-structured interview as the data collection tool. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques and the findings revealed five main causes of anxiety: (i) fear of making mistakes, (ii) fear of negative evaluation, (iii) teaching unfamiliar topics, (iv) lack of preparation, and (v) a large number of students in one classroom. Generally, the results provide important implications for further research development and educational practices.