Types of Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) Through Belief About Language Learning Inventory (BALLI): A Thematic Analysis

Abstract

This research uncovers the types of Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) proposed by Horwitz, Elaine K., Horwitz, Michael B., & Joann Cope (1986) felt by students. This research uses instrument of Belief About Language Learning Inventory (BALLI) proposed by Horwitz, Elaine K. (1988) in the form of questionnaire using Guttman scale. It is narrative design of qualitative research. Furthermore, the analysis is completed by thematic analysis passing five steps to draw a conclusion correlated with the respondents’ respond to the questionnaire. The respondents of this research are the university students of Economic Department, Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara (UISU), Indonesia, Academic Year 2022-2023. The research result found that the highest percentage of people who are anxious about language learning is 64%. It focuses on test anxiety, specifically fear of making mistakes, followed by fear of negative evaluation, specifically fear of receiving a low grade (63%). Then it is on test anxiety, specifically feeling inferior (57%) followed by fear of negative evaluation, specifically fear of correction (49%). Finally, communication anxiety: lack of self-confidence ranks fifth (43%) followed by fear of speaking (35%). Because the percentage of test anxiety and fear of negative evaluation is higher than that of communication skill, the researchers conclude that what makes students anxious in learning foreign language (English) is the grammar or structure of the language.