Based on the democratic values that the Swedish curriculum wants to mediate, the aim of thisstudy is to investigate what support pupils with speech anxiety receive and wishes to receivein grade 4-6. This study is a multi-method research - a research that combines qualitative andquantitative methods within the same project. The qualitative method is used to answer thefirst two research questions directed at the teachers. These are “How do three teachers planthe oral parts considering pupils with speech anxiety?” and “What kind of support isparticularly favorable according to the teacher's experience?” The quantitative method is usedto answer the last research question addressed to pupils which is “What support do theteachers’ pupils want if they have speech anxiety?” The theoretical framework used for this study is Pauline Gibbons' understanding of theconcept scaffolding which was originally founded by Lev Vygotsky and is a branch of hissociocultural theory. The results of this study show that some teaching methods andadaptations are particularly effective. These include: language development strategies, givingpupils time for preparation and to practice at home/with friends, present orally only for theteacher or a small group, join the group that presents without speaking, have a friend standingwith them at presentations, record a video as an alternative and to plan oral sub-goals in thedevelopment talks. Another key part is the teacher's behavior towards and relationship withthe pupils, which can play a crucial role in their development. Pupils with speech anxiety tendto not tell the teacher about it unless they have a good relationship, which can lead to notgetting the help that they need. The classroom climate is also addressed as an importantaspect. Overall, the teachers and pupils agree on which support is most successful. Theconclusion of this study is that pupils with speech anxiety performs better in environmentsthey experience as safe and with people they feel safe with.

This project aims to research teachers’ and students’ perspectives on Foreign Language Anxiety when speaking English, and what strategies teachers and students report having in the ESL classroom. To achieve this, three ninth-grade students were interviewed in a group setting, and five secondary school ESL teachers used semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted in a school south of Sweden. This is done to get both perspectives with a focus on perceptions and strategies to manage speech-related anxiety. Speaking is one of the four important skills that students need to master to fully master a language. The results show that many students find Foreign Language Anxiety to be a factor in hindering their progress in English, as they sometimes have difficulties speaking because of psychological issues where anxiety often occurs as a factor. Through exploration and comparison between the perceptions of students and teachers, the study uncovers effective strategies to lessen or eliminate Foreign Language Anxiety for students and help them develop their speaking skills in English. Additionally, the results show that it is important to give the students the opportunities and conditions for them to succeed regardless of psychological barriers. This study contributes to the existing findings of Foreign Language Anxiety while adding the comparison between the teachers and students and also effective strategies.

This study indicates that communication skills and communication apprehension of English First Additional Language (EFAL) learners are important aspects in teaching and learning, as well as for academic performance. A learner‘s major hurdle to overcome in communication in a second language classroom is a fear of failure. Communication skills and communication apprehension are challenges teachers have to face in language classrooms. Communication barriers that may lead to fear, distress and poor performance should be identified at an early stage. Therefore, it is critical for teachers to know about the communication process, communication skills, and communication apprehension to design positive solutions and teaching strategies to assist learners to overcome fear of communication, especially in the area of second and additional languages. A sample of 779 male and female learners in the secondary phase in Kannaland District, Western Cape participated in the study. For this non-experimental quantitative study, data were gathered using two questionnaires, Communication Skills Scale, and the Personal Report Communication Apprehension questionnaire. To explore the relationship between communication skills, communication apprehension and academic achievement, the first and second term EFAL marks of grades 7-9 learners were used. The data were presented as descriptive statistics, factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlations and comparisons. Results distinguished no differences between males, females, or grades. Findings were discussed with regard to communication skills and the academic achievement, as well as communication apprehension and academic achievement of the learners. Results indicate that there is no significant relationship between communication skills and academic achievement. Nevertheless, distinct relationships between communication skills and communication apprehension (group work, meetings and public speaking) were established and discussed. Communication apprehension (group work, conversations and in the classroom) and academic achievement presented clear relationships that were reported in detail. The factors identified may have a negative impact on learners‘ academic achievement in EFAL. Insight generated by the research in Kannaland District, Western Cape will help to develop an understanding of the situations that affect the degree of communication apprehension of secondary phase EFAL learners. It will allow for a better understanding of the influence of communication skills and could assist teachers to understand EFAL learners‘ fear, distress or ability to communicate. / MEd (Curriculum Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This study indicates that communication skills and communication apprehension of English First Additional Language (EFAL) learners are important aspects in teaching and learning, as well as for academic performance. A learner‘s major hurdle to overcome in communication in a second language classroom is a fear of failure. Communication skills and communication apprehension are challenges teachers have to face in language classrooms. Communication barriers that may lead to fear, distress and poor performance should be identified at an early stage. Therefore, it is critical for teachers to know about the communication process, communication skills, and communication apprehension to design positive solutions and teaching strategies to assist learners to overcome fear of communication, especially in the area of second and additional languages. A sample of 779 male and female learners in the secondary phase in Kannaland District, Western Cape participated in the study. For this non-experimental quantitative study, data were gathered using two questionnaires, Communication Skills Scale, and the Personal Report Communication Apprehension questionnaire. To explore the relationship between communication skills, communication apprehension and academic achievement, the first and second term EFAL marks of grades 7-9 learners were used. The data were presented as descriptive statistics, factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlations and comparisons. Results distinguished no differences between males, females, or grades. Findings were discussed with regard to communication skills and the academic achievement, as well as communication apprehension and academic achievement of the learners. Results indicate that there is no significant relationship between communication skills and academic achievement. Nevertheless, distinct relationships between communication skills and communication apprehension (group work, meetings and public speaking) were established and discussed. Communication apprehension (group work, conversations and in the classroom) and academic achievement presented clear relationships that were reported in detail. The factors identified may have a negative impact on learners‘ academic achievement in EFAL. Insight generated by the research in Kannaland District, Western Cape will help to develop an understanding of the situations that affect the degree of communication apprehension of secondary phase EFAL learners. It will allow for a better understanding of the influence of communication skills and could assist teachers to understand EFAL learners‘ fear, distress or ability to communicate. / MEd (Curriculum Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the role that humanistic techniques play in reducing feelings of language anxiety associated with oral communication in the TESOL classroom. Students in the experimental group attended classes which incorporated humanistic techniques such as journal writing and group work and where the affective needs of the students were taken into account. Students in the control group were provided with the normal course content along more traditional lines and their affective needs were not taken into account. Language anxiety was measured by means of questionnaires, journals and interviews. The results revealed that general feelings of anxiety about oral communication decreased in the experimental group. The experimental group achieved higher scores in the final written examination although there was no significant difference in the oral examination results between the two groups. The drop-out rate in the experimental group was lower than that of the control group. / English Studies / M.A.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role that humanistic techniques play in reducing feelings of language anxiety associated with oral communication in the TESOL classroom. Students in the experimental group attended classes which incorporated humanistic techniques such as journal writing and group work and where the affective needs of the students were taken into account. Students in the control group were provided with the normal course content along more traditional lines and their affective needs were not taken into account. Language anxiety was measured by means of questionnaires, journals and interviews. The results revealed that general feelings of anxiety about oral communication decreased in the experimental group. The experimental group achieved higher scores in the final written examination although there was no significant difference in the oral examination results between the two groups. The drop-out rate in the experimental group was lower than that of the control group. / English Studies / M.A.