Experiencing Foreign Language Anxiety in Arabic Speaking (Muhādathah): Evidence from Non-Pesantren University Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68299/tsbnpw38Keywords:
Foreign Language Anxiety, Arabic Speaking, Muhādathah, Non-Pesantren Students, Communication ApprehensionAbstract
Foreign language anxiety (FLA) significantly impacts Arabic language acquisition, particularly in speaking skills (Muhādathah) among non-pesantren university students in Indonesia. Unlike pesantren counterparts immersed in Arabic-speaking environments, non-pesantren students face unique challenges from limited exposure to Arabic oral communication. This mixed-methods study investigated speaking anxiety manifestation, sources, and intensity among 120 non-pesantren undergraduate students at Universitas Islam Internasional Darullughah Wadda'wah (UII DALWA) in Pasuruan, East Java. Using the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) and semi-structured interviews, findings revealed moderate to high speaking anxiety levels, primarily driven by fear of negative evaluation (M = 3.78), communication apprehension (M = 3.61), and test anxiety (M = 3.34). Pronunciation difficulties, limited vocabulary, lack of practice opportunities, and comparative self-assessment with pesantren-educated peers constituted primary anxiety triggers. The absence of Arabic-speaking environments outside formal classes intensified students' apprehension during Muhādathah activities. Results underscore institutional context's profound influence on anxiety formation and highlight the need for targeted pedagogical interventions accommodating anxious learners while building linguistic competence in non-immersive Islamic university settings.
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