EXPLORING STUDENTS’ ANXIETY IN READING ACADEMIC TEXT

Abstract

Abstract : Reading is an important skill for gaining knowledge and academic success, especially for university students at higher levels of education. Reading competence is represented by reading literacy, which is affected by reading amount, intensity, and frequency, which can be hindered by reading anxiety, especially in EFL and academic settings. There are several factors that influence the feeling of anxiety in reading foreign language texts. Therefore, the researcher is interested in studying EFL reading anxiety toward academic texts. This research used descriptive quantitative research to investigate the reading anxiety of the students in terms of reading academic skills. The study was conducted in the 7th semester of the English department of the University of Islam Malang. The instruments used are Foreign Language Reading Anxiety Scale, while the interview guide is also used to investigate reading anxiety and its causing factors in the form of structured interviews. The data collection in this research was carried out online. The data analysis is done by analyzing the questionnaire using Microsoft Excel and the interview using qualitative analysis methods using data selection, organization, and interpretation. The result indicated 11 students with high anxiety levels. The major factor influencing students' level of anxiety is caused by reading topics that can be solved by finding easier material, social strategies, pre-reading, and skimming. As for fear of making mistakes, it only happens when students are observed during reading caused by anxiety to have a different understanding with the others, and read in a classroom environment. This can be solved by cross-checking with friends and trying to understand the text as best as possible before entering the class. The other minor factors include vocabulary which is mostly caused by unfamiliar scientific terms, and the only confirmed solution mentioned was being familiar with academic texts

Keywords : Correlation, teaching method, reading comprehension