Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
Speaking competence in English has become a critical requirement for students in technical higher education, where future engineers are increasingly expected to participate in academic discussions, deliver professional presentations, and collaborate in international contexts (Crystal, 2003; Jenkins, 2014). Despite its importance, oral communication remains one of the most challenging skills for technical university students, often accompanied by high levels of anxiety. Previous research identifies speaking as the most anxiety-provoking aspect of foreign language learning, particularly in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) classrooms (Horwitz, Horwitz, & Cope, 1986).
The present study aims to examine the level, sources, and effects of speaking anxiety among technical university students enrolled in ESP courses. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining a questionnaire adapted from the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) with semi-structured interviews. The participants were undergraduate engineering students studying English for professional and academic purposes.
Quantitative results revealed a moderate to high level of speaking anxiety, with oral presentations and spontaneous speaking tasks identified as the most anxiety-inducing activities. Qualitative findings further indicated that fear of negative peer evaluation, limited technical vocabulary, and accuracy-focused classroom practices contributed significantly to students’ speaking anxiety. The integration of quantitative and qualitative data highlights the situational and task-specific nature of speaking anxiety in ESP contexts.
The findings suggest the need for anxiety-sensitive ESP pedagogy, emphasizing scaffolded speaking tasks, supportive classroom environments, and formative assessment practices. Such approaches may help reduce speaking anxiety and promote more confident oral communication among technical university students.
References
Abdisamatov, Ahrorjon Jalolxon O‘G‘Li, and M. Solijonov. "REKLAMA MATNLARIDA TURG ‘UN BIRIKMALARNING LINGVISTIK XUSUSIYATLAR." Central Asian Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies (CARJIS) 2.3 (2022): 535-539.
Abdulhamidov, S. X. "THE CONCEPTS OF “SEMANTIC CATEGORY”,“FUNCTIONAL SEMANTIC FIELD” IN THE ASPECT OF COMPARATIVE STUDIES." Экономика и социум 6-1 (133) (2025): 35-40.
Aliyevna, Yuldasheva Diloram. "Study Of Concepts Expressing The Relationship Between New And Old Information (Theme And Rheme) Expressed In A Sentence." Journal of Positive School Psychology 7.2 (2023).
ABDULHAMIDOV, Sanjarbek. "THE ROLE OF CAUSATIVE COMPOUNDS IN CREATING A LINGUISTIC PICTURE OF THE WORLD." LTEACHIN ANGUAGE: 123.
A’zamjon, Ixtiyorov. "The Use of Lexemes Expressing the Meaning of Swearing in the Expression of A Subjective Relationship in the Uzbek Language." Galaxy International Interdisciplinary Research Journal 10.11: 558-560.
Avazjon, Ziyaev, and Ixtiyorov A’zamjon. "Expression of Subjective Attitude in Verbs in Uzbek Language." JournalNX 8.11: 132-136.
Bektoshev, Mubashirkhon. "Cognitive Justification of Humor in Modern Linguistics." Maktabgacha va Maktab Ta'limi Jurnali, vol. 3, no. 6, 5 June 2025.
Basturkmen, H. (2010). Developing courses in English for specific purposes. Palgrave Macmillan.
Bektoshev, Mubashirxon Odilbek ogli. "EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT ON STUDENT MOTIVATION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES." CONFERENCE OF INNOVATIVE HORIZONS IN SCIENCE & ENGINERING, vol. 1, no. 2, 31 Oct. 2025, pp. 67-71.
Bektoshev, Mubashirxon. "Yumor va madaniyatlardagi farqlar: pragmalingvistik nuqtai nazardan dialogik nutq tahlili." University Research Base, 18 Apr. 2024, pp. 978-981.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Cheng, W., & Mok, C. K. (2008). Discourse processes and products: Landmarks in spoken discourse analysis. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 7(4), 279–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2008.09.002
Crystal, D. (2003). English as a global language (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Dörnyei, Z. (2001). Motivational strategies in the language classroom. Cambridge University Press.
Dörnyei, Z. (2007). Research methods in applied linguistics. Oxford University Press.
Dörnyei, Z., & Ryan, S. (2015). The psychology of the language learner revisited. Routledge.
Eysenck, M. W., Derakshan, N., Santos, R., & Calvo, M. G. (2007). Anxiety and cognitive performance: Attentional control theory. Emotion, 7(2), 336–353. https://doi.org/10.1037/1528-3542.7.2.336
Gregersen, T., & Horwitz, E. K. (2002). Language learning and perfectionism. The Modern Language Journal, 86(4), 562–570. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-4781.00160
Hasanov, E. "ISSUES OF HISTORICAL AND MODERN FORMS OF BUSINESS TERMS." Science and innovation 2.C11 (2023): 143-146.
Hasanov, Elyorjon. "UNDERSTANDING STRESS AND INTONATION IN PHONETICS." Multidisciplinary Journal of Science and Technology 4.10 (2024): 324-326.
Horwitz, E. K. (2010). Foreign and second language anxiety. Language Teaching, 43(2), 154–167. https://doi.org/10.1017/S026144480999036X
Horwitz, E. K., Horwitz, M. B., & Cope, J. (1986). Foreign language classroom anxiety. The Modern Language Journal, 70(2), 125–132. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1986.tb05256.x
Hyland, K. (2006). English for academic purposes: An advanced resource book. Routledge.
Hyland, K. (2007). Genre pedagogy: Language, literacy and L2 writing instruction. Journal of Second Language Writing, 16(3), 148–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2007.07.005
Ikhtiyorov, A. "National-Cultural Features of the Verbalizers of the Concept" Beauty/Ugliness" in English and Uzbek Languages." International Journal on Integrated Education 4.6: 209-212.
Ikhtiyorov, A. "REALIZATION OF SEMANTICS OF SUBJECTIVE ATTITUDE IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES THROUGH SIMILES AND METAPHORS." Science and innovation 3.C10 (2024): 46-50.
Исломов, Уткиржон. "OVERCOMING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ANXIETY IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS." Interpretation and researches 6 (52) (2025).
Исломов, Уткиржон. "UNDERSTANDING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ANXIETY AND ITS IMPACT ON LEARNING." Свет науки 8 (43) (2025).
Javokhir, Komilov. "LATIN ALPHABET EVOLUTION FROM EARLY PERIOD TO INTERNET AGE." Advances in Science and Education 2.03 (2026): 53-56.
Jenkins, J. (2014). English as a lingua franca in the international university. Routledge.
Karimova, Vasila Vakhobovna, and Dilorom Alievna Yuldasheva. "The Responsibility of a Teacher for Increasing the Probability of Advancing Student Achievement." Molodoy uchenyy (2016): 3-1.
Liu, M., & Jackson, J. (2008). An exploration of Chinese EFL learners’ unwillingness to communicate. System, 36(1), 71–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2007.12.005
MacIntyre, P. D. (2007). Willingness to communicate in the second language. The Modern Language Journal, 91(4), 564–576. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.2007.00625.x
MacIntyre, P. D., Dörnyei, Z., Clément, R., & Noels, K. A. (1998). Conceptualizing willingness to communicate. The Modern Language Journal, 82(4), 545–562. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1998.tb05543.x
MacIntyre, P. D., & Gardner, R. C. (1991). Language anxiety and second language learning. Language Learning, 41(1), 85–117. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-1770.1991.tb00677.x
Madinakhon, Islomova. "ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN LANGUAGE LEARNING: A CASE STUDY OF CHATGPT." Advances in Science and Education 2.03 (2026): 32-36.
Muborak, Rasulova, and Solijonov Mukhammadjon. "Representation of Repetition in English and Uzbek Translated Texts." Central Asian Journal of Literature, Philosophy and Culture 4.5 (2023): 340-344.
Mukhammadjon S., Lutfiya K. (2022). Linguistics in the anthropocentric paradigm methodological foundations of science. International journal of social science & interdisciplinary research ISSN: 2277-3630, 11(12), 174-177.
Mukhammadjon, Solijonov. "Basics of linguocultural analysis of literary text." International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education 14.07 (2022): 2197-2201
Odilbek ogli, Mubashirxon Bektoshev. "PASSIVE VOICE IN TRANSLATION. Web of Scientist: International Scientific Research Journal, 3 (6), 1605–1608." 2022,
Odilbek ogli, Mubashirxon Bektoshev. "FORMAL AND SYNTACTIC ASPECTS OF THE PASSIVE VOICE. Web of Scientist: International Scientific Research Journal, 3 (6), 1556–1559." 2022,
Odiljonovich, Hasanov Elyorjon. "Some issues of business terms borrowed from english." INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE & INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH ISSN: 2277-3630 Impact factor: 8.036 11.09 (2022): 372-375.
Suleimenova, Z. (2013). Speaking anxiety in a foreign language classroom. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 93, 1860–1868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.131
Teimouri, Y., Goetze, J., & Plonsky, L. (2019). Second language anxiety and achievement. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 41(2), 363–387. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263118000311
Ugli, Javokhir Komilov Kozimjon. "Modern graphic communication in the internet discourse." Архивариус 2 (47) (2020): 47-53.
Ugli, Komilov Javokhir Kozimjon. "USAGE OF GRAPHIC SIGNS IN DIGITAL COMMUNICATION OF THE INTERNET." Raqamli iqtisodiyot (Цифровая экономика) 7 (2024): 415-423.
ugli Komilov, Javokhir Kozimjon. "CHANGING INTERNET COMMUNICATION FROM VERBAL INTO GRAPHICAL." Conferences. 2021.
ugli Komilov, Javokhir Kozimjon. "Process Of Forming Latin Script And Its Impact On Graphic Communication Of Internet Language." Academic Leadership-Online Journal 5.21 (2020): 124-130.
Utkirjon, Islomov. "EXPLORING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ANXIETY IN TECHNICAL HIGHER EDUCATION: EVIDENCE FROM ENGINEERING STUDENTS." Advances in Science and Education 2.03 (2026): 45-52.
Woodrow, L. (2006). Anxiety and speaking English as a second language. RELC Journal, 37(3), 308–328. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033688206071315
Xasanov, Elyorjon, and Marjona Bo’ronova. "SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ENGLISH AND UZBEK PHONETIC." Академические исследования в современной науке 4.29 (2025): 80-83.
Xusnitdin o’g’li, Sanjarbek Abdulhamidov. "The Role of Causative Devices in Creating Linguistic Image of the World." Central Asian Journal of Social Sciences and History 3.6 (2022): 239-242.
Young, D. J. (1991). Creating a low-anxiety classroom environment. The Modern Language Journal, 75(4), 426–439. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1991.tb05378.x
Yuldasheva, D. "INGLIZ TILIDA SUB’YEKT KATEGORIYASI KONSEPTUAL VOQEALANISHINING FUNKSIONAL TABIATI." Педагогика и психология в современном мире: теоретические и практические исследования 2.8 (2023): 91-94.
Yuldasheva, D. A. "Innovative methods of teaching English to young children." Molodoy uchenyy 4.2 (2017): 138-2.
Zokirjon o’g’li, Solijonov Mukhammadjon. "APPLICATION OF TBLT IN DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL CONTEXTS." SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS AND TRENDS IN THE FIELD OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 3.31 (2025): 48-51.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.