FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM ANXIETY OF STUDENTS STUDYING ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

A significant number of students studying a foreign language have experienced anxiety at some point during their studies. Kazakhstan is a multilingual country, having three official languages (Kazakh, Russian, and English) as compulsory education, and it raises the question of whether students experience any anxiety during the classroom, which significantly impacts their learning process and academic performance. This article aimed to explore the level of foreign language classroom anxiety among the students studying in 3rd and 4th grade in the Department of English Language and Literature and the Department of Translation Studies at Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkestan, Kazakhstan. To test the anxiety level, the study was conducted by conducting an online survey of 314 students (266=female, 48=male) and utilising the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS). The results showed a moderate level of anxiety, suggesting that the students and teachers might have been affected by the cultural aspects of the nation. Another assumption might be the mutual trust between the students and teachers that creates an atmosphere that decreases the anxiety. Furthermore, students were eager to study and looked forward to conversing with native speakers. This data confirms the importance of culture, peer support, and proper study programs, along with the continuous assistance and encouragement from the teachers.