EXPLORING THE MOTIVATION AND ANXIETY OF ISLAMIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN LEARNING ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILL: A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY

Abstract

This This study aims to explore the motivations and anxieties experienced by Islamic high school students in
learning English speaking skills. It seeks to identify the driving factors that encourage students to engage in
speaking English as well as the emotional and psychological barriers that hinder their performance. The research
specifically focuses on understanding how personal goals, social expectations, and educational context influence
students' motivation and anxiety. A qualitative case study design was employed, involving two participants from
an Islamic high school in Malang, Indonesia. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using
Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis method. The participants were selected based on contrasting speaking
behaviors—one highly motivated, the other significantly anxious in speaking English. The findings revealed that
students are motivated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. While one participant demonstrated strong intrinsic
motivation driven by personal interest and academic ambition, the other exhibited instrumental motivation with
limited self-confidence. Anxiety was found to stem from several causes, including fear of negative evaluation, lack
of vocabulary, pronunciation difficulties, and classroom pressure. One participant overcame initial anxiety through
frequent practice and teacher support, while the other continued to struggle with high anxiety due to a lack of self-
efficacy and fear of judgment. Based on the findings, it is recommended that English teachers create
psychologically safe learning environments, use culturally relevant teaching strategies, and provide regular speaking
opportunities that reduce pressure and build confidence. Furthermore, supporting students’ emotional needs and
acknowledging their educational background are crucial to fostering both motivation and speaking proficiency in
Islamic high school contexts.