The Correlation between Foreign Language Apprehension and Foreign Language Gaiety and their Impacts on the Ideal L2 Self for EFL Learners

Abstract

As evidenced by recent studies in the fields of positive psychology and psycholinguistics, learners’ emotions and thoughts while learning a second language are believed to generate sophisticated and dynamic linkages that contribute to their motivational as well as linguistic outcomes. This study aims to evaluate foreign language gaiety (FLG) and foreign language apprehension (FLA) as determinants of the ideal second language (L2) self for Saudi EFL learners. The basic research question that this study attempts to answer is: “What is the impact of EL elation and apprehension on PSAU learners’ ideal L2 self?” An online survey incorporating the three scales in question was completed by 116 EFL male and female students at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) in the College of Science and Humanities (CSH). To examine the reliability of this research study, the Cronbach Alpha value of ≥ 0.70 is regarded as reliable and acceptable. The study results showed a strong positive correlation between the PSAU EFL learners’ EF Gaiety and their ideal L2 self. Further, there was a strong negative correlation between the PSAU EFL learners’ FL Apprehension and their ideal L2 self. The study concluded that PSAU EFL learners do not enjoy studying English as a foreign language. Their ideal L2 self is tremendously affected by the high rates of apprehension and the low degrees of EF gaiety.