Internet Anxiety among Foreign Language Learners

Abstract

Little attention has been paid to the demotivating potential of new technologies in foreign language research. Thus, this study aims to investigate Internet anxiety among foreign language learners and to determine the relationships between Internet anxiety and certain variables. A background questionnaire, an Internet information test, and an Internet anxiety scale were administered to a sample group of 115 foreign language learners. The collected data were used to provide a descriptive and correlational analysis. The results of the analysis indicated that the Internet is not in itself an anxiety source among foreign language learners; however, it is the situations in which learners have to use the Internet that provoke Internet anxiety. Furthermore, it was observed that factors such as gender, computer and Internet connection ownership, Internet instruction, Internet familiarity, and information level on the Internet significantly correlated with the level of Internet anxiety. In the light of the findings of the study, some recommendations were noted.