STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SPEAKING ANXIETY WHEN SPEAKING ENGLISH IN FRONT OF THE CLASS AT UNIVERSITAS BHINNEKA PGRI

• Silvia Floresia Ndate

  Universitas Bhinneka PGRI

  Author

• Rosanita Tritias Utami

  Universitas Bhinneka PGRI

  Author

Speaking anxiety is a common psychological barrier experienced by learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), particularly when they are required to speak in front of the class. This study aims to explore students’ perceptions of their anxiety when speaking English in classroom settings. The research focuses on how students perceive their emotional, cognitive, and physical responses during speaking activities. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, drawing on questionnaire responses, classroom observation, and interview data adapted from previous validated instruments on foreign language anxiety. The findings reveal that students generally perceive speaking English as a stressful and intimidating activity due to fear of making mistakes, fear of negative evaluation, and lack of self-confidence. These perceptions manifest in physical symptoms such as trembling voice and nervous gestures, as well as psychological reactions including worry and self-doubt. The study concludes that students’ perceptions of speaking anxiety significantly influence their classroom participation and speaking performance. Understanding these perceptions is essential for educators in designing supportive learning environments that reduce anxiety and encourage active oral participation.

Kecemasan berbicara merupakan salah satu hambatan psikologis yang umum dialami oleh mahasiswa dalam pembelajaran bahasa Inggris sebagai bahasa asing, khususnya ketika mereka harus berbicara di depan kelas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui persepsi mahasiswa terhadap kecemasan yang mereka alami saat berbicara bahasa Inggris di depan kelas di Universitas Bhinneka PGRI. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif dengan pengumpulan data melalui angket, observasi kelas, dan wawancara untuk menggali persepsi mahasiswa terkait aspek emosional, kognitif, dan fisik dari kecemasan berbicara. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar mahasiswa memersepsikan kegiatan berbicara bahasa Inggris sebagai aktivitas yang menegangkan dan menimbulkan rasa takut, terutama karena kekhawatiran akan melakukan kesalahan, takut terhadap penilaian negatif, serta rendahnya rasa percaya diri. Kecemasan tersebut berdampak pada menurunnya konsentrasi, kelancaran berbicara, serta partisipasi mahasiswa dalam kegiatan pembelajaran. Oleh karena itu, pemahaman terhadap persepsi mahasiswa mengenai kecemasan berbicara menjadi penting bagi dosen untuk menciptakan lingkungan pembelajaran yang suportif dan mampu meminimalkan kecemasan dalam kegiatan berbicara bahasa Inggris.

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