Abstract

In the present study, I sought to measure the relationship between anxiety and second
language acquisition in English as a Second Language (ESL) students, as well as students
enrolled in foreign language classes. Work done by Rene von Worde (2003) and Elaine
K. Horwitz, Michael B. Horwitz, and Joann Cope (1986) formed the basis for the study.
The present study looked to answer two research questions. What are the problems
students believing contribute to anxiety in Secondary school’s level? What are the
impacts that can help students to overcome foreign language anxiety? To complete the
research, I asked a local high school to allow me access to both sets of students. Included
in the original sample were 100 ESL students. The students were asked to complete the
Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (Horwitz, Horwitz & Cope, 1986). The
findings showed that amongst this group of ESL/foreign language learners, that anxiety
was not a contributing factor to their inability to learn a second language.