SPEAKING ANXIETY AND ITS COPING STRATEGIES: A STUDY ON EFL STUDENT TEACHERS IN IMPROMPTU SPEECH

Authors

  • Daniella Rosquin Universitas Sanata Dharma Author
  • Made Frida Yulia Sanata Dharma University image/svg+xml Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30998/inference.v9i2.4716

Keywords:

speaking anxiety, impromptu speech, EFL student teachers, coping strategies

Abstract

Speaking anxiety is one of the challenges frequently experienced by EFL student teachers, particularly in the context of spontaneous speaking. This basic qualitative research aimed to explore EFL student teachers' experiences of speaking anxiety in impromptu speech and how to overcome them. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews and classroom observations involving four EFL student teachers selected through purposive sampling, then analyzed using thematic analysis. The results indicated that EFL student teachers experienced speaking anxiety manifested as physical symptoms and psychological responses. To overcome these problems, EFL student teachers used strategies to address the source of the problem and strategies that focused on regulating emotions. These findings offer practical applications for teachers to create a supportive learning environment and serve as a basis for further research involving different participant characteristics and testing the effectiveness of specific coping strategies for addressing speaking anxiety.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

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. JSSH (Jurnal Sains Sosial dan Humaniora), 3 (1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.30595/jssh.v3i1.3843

Akbar, A., Sofyan, D., & Damayanti, I. (2018). Factors causing foreign language anxiety (FLA) in speaking. Journal of English Education and Teaching, 2 (2), 46-57. https://www.academia.edu/download/105591296/5692-Article_Text-7566-10480-10-20180910.pdf_filename_UTF-85692-Article_Text-7566-10480-10-20180910.pdf

Akhter, S. (2021). Exploring the significance of speaking skill for EFL learners. Sir Syed Journal of Education & Social Research (SJESR), 4 (3), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.36902/sjesr-vol4-iss3-2021(1-9)

Alisoy, H. (2024). Navigating impromptu speaking strategies for successful spontaneous conversations. Web of Semantics: Journal of Interdisciplinary Science, 2 (1), 1-8. http://web.semanticjournals.org/index.php/wos/article/view/22

Almeida, A. A. F. D., Behlau, M., & Leite, J. R. (2011). Correlation between anxiety and communicative performance. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia, 16 (4), 384-389. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-80342011000400004

Arifin, S. (2024). Impromptu speech delivery among EFL graduate students: Challenges and potential strategies. Jurnal Pendidikan Progresif, 14 (1), 412-423. http://dx.doi.org/10.23960/jpp.v14.i1.202430

Awan, R. -u. -N., Azher, M., Anwar, M. N., & Naz, A. (2010). An investigation of foreign language classroom anxiety and its relationship with students achievement. Journal of College Teaching & Learning (TLC), 7 (11). 33-40. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Riffat-Un-Nisa-Awan/publication/266492677_An_Investigation_Of_Foreign_Language_Classroom_Anxiety_And_Its_Relationship_With_Students_Achievement/links/591d283eaca272d31bca9e5f/An-Investigation-Of-Foreign-Language-Classroom-Anxiety-And-Its-Relationship-With-Students-Achievement.pdf

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3 (2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5 (1), 1-4. https://www.academia.edu/download/55796997/Comparison_Convenience_and_Purposive_Sampling-2016_4p.pdf

Folkman, S., Lazarus, R. S., Gruen, R.J., & Delongis, A. (1986). Appraisal, coping, health status, and psychological symptoms. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50 (3), 571. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0022-3514.50.3.571

Hafifah, G. N., & Anggraini, R. D. (2023). Factors influencing students speaking skills; Social support and speaking anxiety. Paper presented at Proceedings of UNNES-TEFLIN National Conference, Universitas Muhammadiyah, Surabaya. https://proceedings.unnes.ac.id/utnc/article/view/2618

Handayani, R., Sukarno, B. S. T., Perdana, P.R., & Meisani, D. R. (2025). Exploring university EFL students’ use of communication strategies in impromptu speaking. Journal of English Language and Education, 10 (3), 686-693. https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v10i3.941

Hanifa, R. (2018). Factors generating anxiety when learning EFL speaking skills. Studies in English Language and Education, 5 (2), 230-239. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v5i2.10932

Horwitz, E. K., Horwitz, M. B., & Cope, J. (1986). Foreign language classroom anxiety. The Modern Language Journal, 70 (2), 125-132. https://www.jstor.org/stable/327317

Jaca, C.A.L., & Javines, F.B. (2020). Oral communication needs of pre-service teachers in practice teaching. Randwick International of Education and Linguistics Science Journal, 1 (1), 67-73. https://doi.org/10.47175/rielsj.v1i1.31

Kasap, S. & Power, K. M. (2019). Anxiety in the EFL speaking classrooms. The Journal of Language Learning and Teaching, 9 (2), 23-36. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/749672

Kembaren, F. R. W., Utami, S. & Ramadini, M. (2022). An analysis of students’ anxiety of oral presentations and public speaking in high education. Vision: Journal for Language and Foreign Language Learning, 11 (1), 39–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.30829/vis.v18i1.1399

Khafidhoh, K., Wijayati, R. D., & Risa, S. H. (2023). Investigating anxiety in speaking among EFL students: A qualitative study. Ahmad Dahlan journal of English Studies, 10 (1), 12-28. https://doi.org/10.26555/adjes.v10i1.212

Leigh, E., Chiu, K., Clark, D. M. (2021). Is concentration an indirect link between social anxiety and educational achievement in adolescents?. PloS one, 16 (5), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249952

Mardiningrum, A. & Ramadhani, D. R. (2022). Classroom oral presentation: Students’ challenges and how they cope. Eralingua: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Asing dan Sastra, 6 (1), 103–119. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e2db/ff37842eec5ee7802b28c5a1b56302c7815f.pdf

Masuwd, M., Sumanik, E. D., Sarkawi, S., & AmER, M. A. B. (2024). Measuring foreign language anxiety: Concerning students’ motivation and their self-perception. International Journal of Teaching and Learning, 2 (8), 2087-2099. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mowafg-Masuwd/publication/385588373_MEASURING_FOREIGN_LANGUAGE_ANXIETY_CONCERNING_STUDENTS'_MOTIVATION_AND_THEIR_SELF-PERCEPTION/links/672b89235852dd723cad2ad1/MEASURING-FOREIGN-LANGUAGE-ANXIETY-CONCERNING-STUDENTS-MOTIVATION-AND-THEIR-SELF-PERCEPTION.pdf

Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation. Jossey-Bass.

Milanrianto, B. A., Permana, D., & Ariani, S. (2023). Cognitive and social strategies to deal with anxiety in speaking: Typical strategies and application. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 11 (3), 502-514. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v11i3.8441

Pristiyaputri, A. E., Afiqoh, M., Jauhari, M. A., Al Afghani, M. J., & Kurniasih, K. (2023). The differences of speaking anxiety across academic levels and gender. The Journal of English Literacy Education: The Teaching and Learning of English as A Foreign Language, 10 (1), 63-80. . http://dx.doi.org/10.36706/jele.v10i1.20292

Qasim, A. Y. (2021). A study of the factors affecting the learning of English speaking skills. Academic Journal of Nawroz University, 10 (1), 193-202. https://doi.org/10.25007/ajnu.v10n1a1078

Rajitha, K., & Alamelu, C. (2020). A study of factors affecting and causing speaking anxiety. Procedia Computer Science, 172, 1053-1058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2020.05.154

Ruslin, R., Mashuri, S., Rasak, M. S. A., Alhabsyi, F., & Syam, H. (2022). Semi-structured interview: A methodology reflection on the development of a qualitative research instruments in educational studies. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSR-JRME), 12 (1), 22-29. https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jrme/papers/Vol-12%20Issue-1/Ser-5/E1201052229.pdf

Siregar, M., Husein, R., Wulandari, A., Sari, A., & Aulia, N. R. (2025). Speaking anxiety symptomps among tenth-grade students in English language classes. SALTeL Journal (Southeast Asia Language Teaching and Learning), 8 (2), 22-27. https://doi.org/10.35307/saltel.v8i2.132

Yetkin, R. Alagözlü, N. (2022). Exploring EFL student teachers’ anxieties in distance education. International Online Journal of Education and Teaching (IOJET), 9 (3), 1343-1355. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1351899

Downloads

Published

2026-08-24

How to Cite

SPEAKING ANXIETY AND ITS COPING STRATEGIES: A STUDY ON EFL STUDENT TEACHERS IN IMPROMPTU SPEECH. (2026). INFERENCE: Journal of English Language Teaching, 9(2), 489-503. https://doi.org/10.30998/inference.v9i2.4716