Examining Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety Among Azerbaijani EFL Students: The Impact of Gender, Age, and Grade Level

It is a natural process for the level of anxiety to play an effective role in foreign language learners' fundamental skills (speaking, writing, reading, listening) and their use of these skills. This research aims to examine the factors affecting individuals' foreign language speaking anxiety and to analyze whether these factors differ in terms of demographic variables. Data were collected quantitatively through a questionnaire. A total of 39 English as a foreign language (EFL) students (Female n=23 and Male n=16) took part in the study. The study group of the research consisted of high senior students (Grade 10 n=20 and Grade 11 n=19). The findings of the study indicated that EFL students’ language learning anxiety levels did not differ according to age and gender, but differed according to their grade level. Therefore, it is suggested that EFL student's anxiety levels can differ among different variables.