Reconsidering Writing Anxiety among EFL Learners
Keywords:
Writing Anxiety, Writing Performance, EFL LearnersAbstract
Having a level of writing anxiety is normal and often a sign that writers are concerned about writing well. If this type of anxiety motivates the writers to devote thought and effort to their writing, their mindset can have a certain positive value. However, in excessive quantities, writing anxiety can be a hindrance. In the EFL context, being a good writer depends on many factors, including learners’ psychological factors. Writing anxiety is one of the most affective factors which is claimed to affect the learners’ motivation and attitudes towards writing. Many studies have shown that when EFL learners have high levels of writing anxiety, the writing process becomes more complicated. This can lead to a negative effect on their writing performance. Therefore, this article provides an overview of the writing anxiety among EFL learners in terms of its aspects, factors, and effects based on literature and previous studies. There are three main types of writing anxiety: Somatic Anxiety, Cognitive Anxiety, and Avoidance Behavior. Writing Anxiety can be caused from lacking self-confidence, fear of negative evaluation, having a low level of English proficiency, teachers’ giving feedback, and peers’ criticisms. When writing, the learners with a high level of the anxiety perform more poorly than those with a lower level.
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