The effect of speaking club activities on the speaking anxiety levels of Turkish EFL learners: A case study

Abstract

In English as a foreign language (EFL) settings, speaking anxiety is a significant barrier to effective language learning. This study investigates the impact of speaking club activities led by university instructors on the speaking anxiety levels of Turkish EFL learners. The research, conducted with 49 high school students from a public school in Türkiye, employed a mixed-methods design, utilizing the English-Speaking anxiety scale for quantitative data and semi-structured interviews for qualitative insights. The intervention involved 14 hours of speaking club activities over seven weeks, focusing on structured discussions, role-plays, and open-ended conversations. Quantitative findings indicated significant reductions in speaking anxiety, with large effect sizes. Qualitative data revealed themes of enhanced engagement, reduced speaking anxiety, and positive instructor impact. The study underscores the efficacy of extracurricular speaking clubs in creating a supportive environment that fosters language fluency and confidence. © 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved.