Title: An investigation on the level of self-consciousness based reticence in L2 learners

Authors: S. Gandhimathi; R. Ganesan

Addresses: Department of English, Kongu Engineering College, Perundurai, Erode-638 052, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of English, Kongu Engineering College, Perundurai, Erode-638 052, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract: This paper deals with the investigation on the impact of gender and language background on the level of self-consciousness based reticence of L2 learners. It presents a study conducted with 178 L2 learners doing first year of their undergraduate programme at the university level. Data are collected from the participants. Means and standard deviations are calculated for finding the level of reticence. Results show that there is a considerable impact of gender and language background on the levels of self-consciousness based reticence of L2 learners. Based on these levels, implications and strategies for effective language classroom are suggested.

Keywords: reticence; L2 learners; fear of peers; self-esteem; fear of speaking; self-consciousness; negative evaluation fears; gender; language background; higher education; second languages; language learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2015.066062

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2015 Vol.17 No.1, pp.19 - 35

Published online: 21 Jan 2015 *

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