Speaking anxiety among English majors: A mixed-methods study of psychological, linguistic, and environmental barriers

Authors

  • Ria Sukmawati Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo
  • Ana Maghfiroh Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo
  • Elok Putri Nimasari Universitas Muhamamdiyah Ponorogo
  • Dwiana Binti Yulianti Universitas Muhamamdiyah Ponorogo
  • Rafael Altoé Frossard Federal University of Espírito Santo

Keywords:

speaking anxiety, psychological factors, classwoom environtment, linguistic challenges, mixed-method research

Abstract

This study aims to: (1) identify the psychological causes of speaking anxiety among English Education students; (2) examine the influence of environmental factors, such as classroom dynamics and peer interaction, on students’ speaking confidence; and (3) explore linguistic challenges, including limited vocabulary and grammatical competence, that hinder speaking fluency. The study employed a mixed-methods design with an explanatory sequential approach, combining quantitative survey data from 30 students with in-depth interviews involving three selected participants. The findings revealed that fear of making mistakes (M = 3.70) and concerns about pronunciation (M = 3.50) were the primary sources of speaking anxiety. Qualitative results indicated that linguistic challenges were closely linked to psychological factors and shaped by classroom dynamics. While previous studies have highlighted peer pressure as a major source of anxiety, this study found that peer influence tended to be neutral within a supportive classroom environment. These findings suggest that speaking anxiety is shaped by the interaction of psychological, linguistic, and environmental factors. Therefore, effective interventions should adopt a holistic approach that integrates confidence-building, supportive teaching practices, and communicative activities.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abrar, M. (2017). AN INVESTIGATION INTO INDONESIAN EFL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ANXIETY. JEELS, 4. https://doi.org/10.30762/jeels.v4i2.358
Abrar, M., Fajaryani, N., Habizar, H., Miftahudin, M., & Sokoy, M. (2022). Exploring EFL Students’ Speaking Anxiety of English Teacher Education Program at One Public University in Jambi. Indonesian Journal of EFL and Linguistics, 7(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.21462/ijefl.v7i1.457
Agata, A. V. F., Wardhani, A., Putri, F. A., & Drajati, N. A. (2019). Exploring Fear of Negative Evaluation in Foreign Language Anxiety: Photovoice of Undergraduates in Speaking Class. In Maret (Vol. 3, Issue 1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30595/jssh.v3i1.3843
Agata, J. P.-I.; | A., & Anindyastuti, W. (2019). Exploring Fear of Negative Evaluation in Foreign Language Anxiety: Photovoice of Undergraduates in Speaking Class. In Maret (Vol. 3, Issue 1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30595/jssh.v3i1.3843
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Brown, H. Douglas. (2014). Principles of Language Learning and Teaching. Pearson Education ESL.
Creswell, J. W. (2020). RESEARCH DESIGN: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (3rd ed). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342328830
Dahal, N., Neupane, B. P., Pant, B. P., Dhakal, R. K., Giri, D. R., Ghimire, P. R., & Bhandari, L. P. (2024). Participant selection procedures in qualitative research: experiences and some points for consideration. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2024.1512747
Dawadi, S., Shrestha, S., & Giri, R. A. (2021). Mixed-Methods Research: A Discussion on its Types, Challenges, and Criticisms. Journal of Practical Studies in Education, 2(2), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.46809/jpse.v2i2.20
Dörnyei, Z. (2005). THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE LANGUAGE LEARNER INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION.
Fauzi, I., & Asi, N. (n.d.). Examining Speaking Anxiety of Indonesian Learners of English: A Case of University Students. Examining Speaking Anxiety of Indonesian Learners of English Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 7(2), 263–275. https://doi.org/10.21093/ijeltal
Horwitz, E. K., Horwitz, M. B., & Cope, J. (1986a). Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety. In Source: The Modern Language Journal (Vol. 70, Issue 2).
Horwitz, E. K., Horwitz, M. B., & Cope, J. (1986b). Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety. In Source: The Modern Language Journal (Vol. 70, Issue 2).
Intan Devi Maghfiroh, R., & Zakiyah, A. (2025). THE ROLE OF STUDENT ASSISTANTS IN PROMOTING INTERACTIVE ENGLISH LEARNING (Vol. 3, Issue 1).
Leonita Hermawan, P., Reswati, N., Murtika, R., Almi, N., Kaaffah Nurshiha, S., & Sa’diah, S. (2023). An Analysis of Students Speaking Anxiety in Learning English at Senior High School: A Qualitative Study. https://www.e-journal.unper.ac.id/index.php/ALTICS
Liu, M., & Hong, M. (2021). English Language Classroom Anxiety and Enjoyment in Chinese Young Learners. SAGE Open, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211047550
McCarthy, Michael., & Carter, Ronald. (2006). Communicative Language Teaching Today. Cambridge University Press.
Mohamad, A. R., Fakhruddin, W. F. W. W., & Sazalli, N. A. H. (2023). Investigating Speaking Anxiety Among Pre-Service ESL Teachers in Oral Presentation. Proceedings of International Conference of Research on Language Education (I-RoLE 2023), 13-14 March, 2023, Noble Resort Hotel Melaka, Malaysia, 7, 424–434. https://doi.org/10.15405/epes.23097.38
Motivation of Learning English; A Case of Indonesian Migrant Worker’s Children in Malaysia. (n.d.). https://ejournal.uinmybatusangkar.ac.id/ojs/index.php/takdib/index
Okyar, H. (2023). Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety and its Link to Speaking Self-Efficacy, Fear of Negative Evaluation, Self-Perceived Proficiency and Gender. Science Insights Education Frontiers, 17(2), 2715–2731. https://doi.org/10.15354/sief.23.or388
Putra, F. A., Ramli, R., & Setyawan, F. H. (2023). Social-cultural, psychological, linguistic, and world knowledge; EFL students’ voices on their speaking difficulties in the border area of Indonesia. Lingua Didaktika: Jurnal Bahasa Dan Pembelajaran Bahasa, 17(1), 108. https://doi.org/10.24036/ld.v17i1.122490
Sari, A. B. P., & Iswahyuni, D. (2019). THE STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ANXIETY ON THE YOUTUBE VIDEO PROJECT IN EFL LEARNING IN INDONESIA. Premise: Journal of English Education, 8(2), 176. https://doi.org/10.24127/pj.v8i2.2179
Syahfutra, W., & Wibowo, A. P. (2021). Students’ Speaking Anxiety in English Education Study Program. ELT-Lectura, 8(1).
Toyon, M. A. S. (2021). Explanatory sequential design of mixed methods research: Phases and challenges. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478), 10(5), 253–260. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v10i5.1262

Downloads

Published

2026-04-22

How to Cite

Sukmawati, R., Maghfiroh, A., Nimasari, E. P., Yulianti, D. B., & Frossard, R. A. (2026). Speaking anxiety among English majors: A mixed-methods study of psychological, linguistic, and environmental barriers. JEES (Journal of English Educators Society), 11(1), 13–21. Retrieved from https://jees.umsida.ac.id/index.php/jees/article/view/1966

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): April (in progress)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 1970 Ana Maghfiroh

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.