Award Date

1-1-2002

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Curriculum and Instruction

First Committee Member

Steve G. McCafferty

Number of Pages

66

Abstract

The focus of this study was anxiety related to second language learning, and more specifically, to that of adult Korean students studying ESL; Three research questions were addressed: (a) Do adult Koreans learning ESL have a high degree of classroom anxiety? (b) If so, can this be attributed to some aspects of their cultural heritage or previous educational experience? (c) What concepts contained within sociocultural theory may serve to ameliorate this classroom reaction?;A total of 49 students studying ESL at a major southwest university participated in this study. A background questionnaire and the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale were used in the assessment of anxiety levels. This was supplemented by classroom observations, and student and teacher interviews; Results from the study indicate that the first two research questions could be answered in the affirmative; and that certain pedagogical techniques associated with sociocultural theory to enhance cognitive development and language learning could simultaneously serve to reduce classroom anxiety.

Keywords

Adult; Affective; Anxiety; English; Factors; Korean; Language; Learning; Second; Students

Controlled Subject

Curriculum planning; Education, bilingual; Educational psychology; Adult education

File Format

pdf

File Size

1669.12 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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