초등영어 학습자와 교사가 인식하는 불안감

Anxieties perceived by students and English teachers in elementary English education

This study aims at investigating anxieties perceived by elementary school students and Korean English teachers both in and outside the English c1asses and suggesting the ways to reduce their anxieties. Seven students and five English teachers were carefully selected with proper references in terms of their profiles including gender and academic levels, and teaching careers from three areas of Seoul, Gyeonggido, and Inchon. They were interviewed with semi-structured interview schedules to gain the information about their anxieties. Data from teacher’s observation were also used for analyzing and interpreting their types and characteristics of anxieties. Elementary school students and English teachers were found to perceive a variety of anxieties. English-related anxieties were turned out to have critical impacts on the students’ motivations and achievements in English language learning. They also tended to cause low levels of satisfaction and efficiency to English teachers in their teaching profession. The findings implied the necessities of reducing students’ and teachers’ anxieties from learning and teaching English. Based on the findings from the study, some practical suggestions are made for more successful English education in elementary schools.