Second Language Writing Anxiety: Cause or Effect?

Abstract

Writing is a demanding activity for second/foreign language learners, yet it is a crucial skill for academic success at the tertiary level. Studies have shown that writing performance is related to anxiety, but it is unclear whether anxiety is the cause or the result of poor performance. Guided by the deficit hypothesis, this study investigates the relationship between anxiety and writing performance. The findings indicate that students experience anxiety because of their lack of writing skills, and that higher proficiency students show lower anxiety than weaker students.