A CASE STUDY OF SPEAKING ANXIETY AMONG FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY

This article is dedicated to studying speaking anxiety among first-year English major students at Karakalpak State University. A quantitative descriptive research approach within a case study design was employed, and data was collected from 15 students through a classroom questionnaire, observation, and short interviews. The study focused on students’ levels of anxiety during English speaking activities, the situations that trigger nervousness, and their perceptions of factors affecting their speaking confidence. This study also aimed to identify the ways students try to cope with their anxiety and its influence on their oral performance. Findings are revealing: while some students participate actively in speaking tasks, a significant number feel nervous when speaking in front of the whole class. Observation showed that students often hesitate, avoid speaking, or rely on classmates, and interviews indicated that fear of making mistakes and peer judgment are the main causes of anxiety. Despite these challenges, small-group activities and teacher encouragement were found to help students feel more confident. These results suggest that addressing speaking anxiety through supportive classroom strategies can enhance students’ confidence and participation in English speaking activities.