Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety Among Croatian High School Students

This thesis investigated the levels of English language speaking anxiety among grammar school students compared to vocational school students and determined the differences in the reported causes of English language speaking anxiety between these two groups. Moreover, it examined whether the reported causes of English language speaking anxiety differed between grammar and vocational school students during their middle school education and whether high levels of English language speaking anxiety in students persisted as they progressed to high school. The results showed that both groups of students experienced mild levels of English language speaking anxiety and that the primary factors inducing their speaking anxiety did not change as students progressed from middle school to high school. The primary factor inducing anxiety in grammar school students was the fear of public speaking, whereas perceived low(er) language proficiency was the most significant cause of anxiety for vocational school students. Students who experienced high levels of speaking anxiety in middle school continued to face it in high school.