Exploring the Effects of English Discussion Courses on Japanese EFL College Students’ Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety

This study investigated the impact of English Discussion courses on speaking anxiety among first-year Japanese university students.While Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) has been widely acknowledged as a major barrier to language acquisition, especially in speaking, its long-term reduction through structured discussion-based instruction remains underexplored in the Japanese EFL context.Employing a mixedmethods approach, the study measured students' anxiety levels before and after a 14-week semester using the Short-Form Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (S-FLCAS) and analyzed responses to four open-ended questions.Results from 32 participants revealed a significant decrease in anxiety scores over time, with 90% of students reporting reduced anxiety.Qualitative data indicated that repeated small-group discussions, teacher scaffolding, and pre-thinking tasks were effective in creating a psychologically safe environment.However, students continued to feel anxious during high-stakes or unfamiliar speaking tasks.The findings suggest that while structured discussion activities can alleviate speaking anxiety, continuous affective support and learner-centered strategies are essential for long-term impact.Implications for EFL instruction include incorporating peer familiarity, vocabulary preparation, and emotionally supportive practices into curriculum design.