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Wong Yee Wan

Joanna Tan Tjin Ai

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, Perak, Malaysia

 

Abstract

Learning English is mandatory in Malaysia from preschool through tertiary education. Nevertheless, many students experience anxiety in oral communication. Utilizing Vygotsky’s concept of perezhivanie, this study investigates the emotional factors influencing Malaysian children’s communication apprehension (CA) while learning English as a second language (L2). Qualitative approaches such as observations of a group of four six-year-old bilingual preschoolers, along with semi-structured interviews with experienced early years English teachers and young learners were used for data collection. Thematic Analysis (TA) was employed to analyse collected data of which revealed that while young learners enjoy learning English, cognitive (language proficiency), psychosocial (teacher and parental influences), and environmental factors contribute to CA. Identifying these factors is crucial for educators to develop effective teaching strategies that can alleviate anxiety and enhance the L2 learning experience.

 

Keywords

Communication apprehension, sociocultural theory, Perezhivanie, early L2 learning