From Anxiety to Ability: A Narrative Exploration of Speaking Anxiety in EFL Contexts

Abstract

This study explores the experience of an EFL undergraduate student in managing speaking anxiety to improve speaking skills. Involving a single participant, the research seeks to provide an in-depth and comprehensive account of the participant’s lived experience. Data were collected through document analysis and semi-structured interviews. Document analysis focused on identifying the characteristics of speaking anxiety through the observation of kinesic behaviours. Meanwhile, the semi-structured interview was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the participants’ experiences and the strategies implemented to address speaking anxiety. The findings reveal that specific kinesics patterns are associated with speaking anxiety. Additionally, the study confirms the importance of applying coping strategies to manage anxiety effectively. It can be concluded that recognising the characteristics of speaking anxiety and employing appropriate solutions can assist students in overcoming anxiety and enhancing their speaking performance.