An Investigation of Teachers’ and Students’ Anxiety Coping Strategies in EFL Classroom

Abstract

Anxiety is considered as one of the most effective problem that can prevent students from learning the foreign language appropriately. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to investigate the strategies that English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers and students use to cope with anxiety. It is based on the hypothesis that the coping strategies that are used by teachers and students are effective in reducing anxiety in foreign language settings. To investigate this topic, a case study was conducted at Mohammed Seddik Ben Yahia University, particularly at the department of English where the teachers and third year students were selected as a sample. Two questionnaires were used, one directed to 117 students and the other to 12 teachers. The findings show that teachers and students use different strategies to cope with anxiety such as positive self talk, practice and preparation, relaxation exercises, the use of humor, creating a relaxed atmosphere, tolerating students‟ mistakes, and providing positive feedback. This study suggested that EFL teachers should raise their students‟ attention towards the coping strategies and how to use them appropriately to reduce their anxiety in foreign language classrooms.