Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


osu1281556538.pdf (690.89 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Foreign Language Anxiety in an Intermediate Arabic Reading Course: A Comparison of Heritage and Foreign Language Learners

Alghothani, Dima
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1281556538

Abstract Details

2010, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, EDU Teaching and Learning.
This mixed-methods, qualitative dominant study investigated the issue of foreign language anxiety in an intermediate Arabic reading course. The first, quantitative phase of the study collected data from twenty-two students using the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) and the Foreign Language Reading Scale (FLRAS) as well as a background questionnaire. The second, qualitative phase collected data from five participants: three Foreign Language Learners (FLLs) and two Heritage Language Learners (HLLs) via interviews, classroom observations, and participant journals. The nature of the anxiety that both types of learners experienced varied due to their differing backgrounds. Although the HLLs had lower scores on the FLCAS and FLRAS in comparison to the FLLs, they still experienced anxiety that was at times debilitating. Furthermore, the qualitative data shows that the low levels of anxiety that the HLLs felt may have been a disadvantage to them, as it prevented them from feeling a type of facilitating anxiety, associated with emotionality rather than worry (Scovel, 1978), that may have motivated them to put forth more effort and achieve what they were truly capable of. These findings reiterate the importance of qualitative data, particularly when examining a phenomenon as complex as foreign language anxiety.
Alan Hirvela, PhD (Advisor)
Mariko Haneda, PhD (Committee Member)
Keiko Samimy, PhD (Committee Member)
265 p.
Education
Arabic; Foreign Language Anxiety; Reading Anxiety; Heritage Language Learners

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Alghothani, D. (2010). Foreign Language Anxiety in an Intermediate Arabic Reading Course: A Comparison of Heritage and Foreign Language Learners [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1281556538

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Alghothani, Dima. Foreign Language Anxiety in an Intermediate Arabic Reading Course: A Comparison of Heritage and Foreign Language Learners. 2010. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1281556538.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Alghothani, Dima. "Foreign Language Anxiety in an Intermediate Arabic Reading Course: A Comparison of Heritage and Foreign Language Learners." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1281556538

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1281556538
3,633
© 2010, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.