An Examination of English-Speaking Anxiety Among Turkish High School Students: A Mixed-Method Study

Speaking is a productive skill needing active language use for effective communication. Anxiety during speaking inhibits language learners\\\' proficiency. This study examines foreign language speaking anxiety and its causes among high school students in Türkiye. Using mixed-method research, data were collected from 324 students through the English-Speaking Anxiety Scale and a questionnaire for 101 students. Thematic analysis and multiple comparison tests analyzed the data. Findings showed that female and 9th-grade students experienced higher anxiety levels, while their primary courses did not significantly influence this anxiety. Reasons for anxiety included peer criticism, feelings of inadequacy, and fear of mistakes. Notably, students meeting Turkish speakers displayed a positive attitude toward mistakes. It is recommended to include activities in the curriculum that alleviate foreign language speaking anxiety.