Exploring the relationship between English as a Foreign Language speaking anxiety and speaking test scores among English majors at a Vietnamese public university

Abstract

Fluency in oral communication is essential for language competence in social and academic settings. However, many English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners struggle with speaking anxiety, which undermines their confidence. This study examines the level of EFL speaking anxiety among English majors at a Vietnamese public university and explores its correlation with English-speaking test scores. Two hundred ninety-five English majors from Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade completed the EFL Speaking Anxiety Questionnaire and English-Speaking Test Score. The findings indicate that students generally experienced a moderate level of speaking anxiety, with fear of negative evaluation emerging as the most influential factor. Moreover, speaking anxiety was found to be negatively correlated with English-speaking test scores. The study highlights the significant role of fear of negative evaluation in contributing to EFL speaking anxiety and underscores the importance of building students’ confidence in speaking. These findings suggest that targeted interventions to reduce speaking anxiety could enhance students’ oral communication skills.