Predictors of foreign language speaking anxiety in a tertiary level EFL context

This study aimed to investigate tertiary level English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ L2 speaking anxiety and its relationship with their L2 willingness to communicate (WTC), ideal and ought-to L2 selves, and L2 motivation in a Turkish EFL context with a mixed-methods approach. A composite survey form was used for quantitative data while qualitative data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Major findings indicated that the ought-to L2 self had the strongest positive link with L2 speaking anxiety whereas other variables were correlated with L2 speaking anxiety negatively. Multiple regression analysis displayed that the ought-to L2 self was the strongest and the only positive predictor of L2 speaking anxiety. L2 motivation and the ideal L2 self followed it as two negative predictors, respectively. However, L2 WTC did not significantly impact the regression model. The study provided some implications for L2 learning and teaching based on the results.