Anxiety in Online and Face-to-Face English Classes Amongst Japanese University Students During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 prompted a sudden transition from in-person to online education in Japan. This research examined English language learning anxiety in virtual versus traditional classroom settings among 105 Japanese university students at a national university in Ibaraki Prefecture between 2020 and 2023. Students completed surveys about their anxiety levels in both learning environments. Statistical analysis using t-tests showed no significant differences in anxiety between online and in-person classes. Analyses by gender and academic year also revealed no notable distinctions. While mean anxiety scores were slightly higher for traditional classes, female students, and third-year undergraduates, these differences were not statistically significant. The results indicate that foreign language anxiety continues to be a concern in both online and face-to-face English classes for these students during the 2020-2023 period. Additional research into factors affecting anxiety across different learning contexts is needed. This study provides initial evidence that the shift to online learning due to COVID-19 in 2020 did not significantly change anxiety levels for Japanese university students studying English through 2023.