FEAR OF MAKING MISTAKES AS A PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIER IN ESL CLASSROOMS
Keywords:
Keywords: Fear of error-making, English as a second language (ESL), foreign language anxiety, affective factors in language learning, willingness to communicate, error correction strategies, communicative language teaching, oral fluency development, affective filter hypothesis, accuracy–fluency balance, learner self- confidence, classroom interaction, teacher corrective feedback, task-based speaking activities, second language acquisitionAbstract
Abstract
Making mistakes is widely recognized as an essential component of second
language acquisition. Nevertheless, many learners of English as a Second Language
(ESL) experience a strong fear of making mistakes, which can significantly hinder their
communicative development. Despite possessing adequate linguistic knowledge, such
learners often remain silent or overly cautious in classroom interactions. This paper
argues that fear of making mistakes constitutes a major psychological barrier in ESL
learning. It examines the underlying causes of this fear, its effects on language
acquisition, and pedagogical strategies that teachers can employ to reduce learners’
anxiety and foster a more supportive learning environment.
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