Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) Among Advanced English Learners: A Study of Intervention Strategies at the University of Padova

Although FLA has been one of the most studied phenomenon in SLA over the past 40 years, limited attention has been directed towards learners at higher levels of language proficiency, as research primarily focused on those learners whose language competence was lower, assuming that being at the earlier stages of language acquirement is related to being more fearful of making mistakes. This dissertation aims to investigate which aspects of the language learning process anxiety may have an impact on in advanced learners, such as EFL university students. This dissertation intends to propose helpful strategies to mitigate the more or less severe discomfort caused by LA, by raising awareness of the importance of relaxing practices, such as mindfulness and positive self-talk, encouraged by positive psychology. The study uses qualitative data analysis gathered by interviewing 10 EFL university students at UNIPD.