Test Anxiety in the Foreign Language Learning Context: A Theoretical Framework

Abstract

While test anxiety is a strong predictor that affects the achievement and proficiency in the foreign language learning process, how it relates to the current theories and hypotheses remains an unanswered question. In addition, while test anxiety within the scope of descriptive and correlational studies is an issue that has attracted researchers, its theoretical background is mostly ignored. Thus, this paper aims to present a theoretical framework of test anxiety in the foreign language learning context. For this purpose, the paper first introduces the terms, definitions, concepts, theories, and hypotheses in relation to test anxiety. Then, the paper focuses on foreign language anxiety. Finally, it presents a theoretical background for test anxiety in a narrower scope. The paper concludes that more research is warranted, whereas teachers need to be trained to moderate the effects of test anxiety among foreign language learners.