The Experience of English Speaking Anxiety and Coping Strategies: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study

Authors

  • Ivy Marie Pabro-Maquidato University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines

Keywords:

Emotional Tension, English Speaking Anxiety, Transcendental Phenomenology, Physiological Effects, Mental Difficulties

Abstract

The study investigates the speaking anxiety and strategies that second language learners use to deal with their anxiety when they speak English. The researcher conducts semi-structured interviews to collect data. There were 55 students in a state university in the Philippines who participated in the study, and the top five students with the highest level of anxiety were interviewed for data collection. Transcendental phenomenology was used as a method of the research. The results showed that learners have emotional tensions, physiological symptoms, and mental difficulties when they speak English. The fear of losing face or negative feedback was also attributed to the anxiety of the students. The researcher also found that the students use some strategies to cope with their nervousness by utilizing helpful tools such as reading books in English and consulting a dictionary. The strategies enabled the students to put their thoughts into writing, overcome their shyness, and become open-minded with the teacher’s corrections or feedback.

Author Biography

  • Ivy Marie Pabro-Maquidato, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines

    Ms. Ivy Marie Pabro-Maquidato has been a faculty member at the Arts and Sciences Department of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), Panaon, Misamis Occidental, Philippines, for years. She graduated from Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Philippines, with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education in English. She also holds a master’s degree in education in Teaching English Communication Arts from Lourdes College, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Second language learning and acquisition, communication, and education are among her research interests.

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Published

16-07-2021

How to Cite

Pabro-Maquidato, I. M. (2021). The Experience of English Speaking Anxiety and Coping Strategies: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 1(2), 45-64. https://i-jte.org/index.php/journal/article/view/32

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