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The aim of this study is to discuss the needs of learners who stutter (LWS) in the skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing in
English as a foreign language (EFL) learning based on their levels of
anxiety, and their experiences as individuals who stutter in the
process of learning this language. To this end, the anxiety of these
students (n = 16) in the foreign language was measured using the
Foreign language classroom anxiety scale (FLCAS), and the Specific
language skills anxiety scale (SLSAS), whilst their experiences were
elicited through semi-structured interviews. Their foreign language
anxiety (FLA) levels were then compared to those obtained from
a control group of non-stuttering learners (n = 16), and interview
content was scrutinised mainly using Interpretive Phenomenological
Analysis (IPA). LWS scored significantly higher in FLA and speaking
anxiety than the control group; however, no significant differences
were found between both groups in other language skills. Findings
from the qualitative study also indicated that reading aloud was
highly problematic for these learners. Suggestions to attenuate anxiety
in LWS are offered to educators.The aim of this study is to discuss the needs of learners who stutter (LWS) in the skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing in
English as a foreign language (EFL) learning based on their levels of
anxiety, and their experiences as individuals who stutter in the
process of learning this language. To this end, the anxiety of these
students (n = 16) in the foreign language was measured using the
Foreign language classroom anxiety scale (FLCAS), and the Specific
language skills anxiety scale (SLSAS), whilst their experiences were
elicited through semi-structured interviews. Their foreign language
anxiety (FLA) levels were then compared to those obtained from
a control group of non-stuttering learners (n = 16), and interview
content was scrutinised mainly using Interpretive Phenomenological
Analysis (IPA). LWS scored significantly higher in FLA and speaking
anxiety than the control group; however, no significant differences
were found between both groups in other language skills. Findings
from the qualitative study also indicated that reading aloud was
highly problematic for these learners. Suggestions to attenuate anxiety
in LWS are offered to educators.
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