Investigating the correlation of EFL students writing apprehension and writing performance: Dire Dawa University in focus, Ethiopia

Abstract

The main objective of the research was to examine the correlation between university students’ writing apprehension and performance level, particularly among first-year undergraduate students at Dire Dawa University, Ethiopia. Specifically, the study examined whether or not any statistically significant correlation exists between students writing apprehension and writing performances level, the degree to which students feel writing apprehension, and their level of writing apprehension influences students’ writing performance. To achieve this objective, a descriptive-correlational design was employed. Then, questionnaires, interviews and writing tests were used for data gathering. Accordingly, the collected data was analyzed by quantitative and qualitative approaches. The research revealed that students had moderate writing apprehension and low writing performances level. In addition, the research findings show a modest negative correlation between students writing apprehension and their performance level. However, the correlation was found insignificant. Besides this, the research findings show students' writing performances are not significantly influenced by the factors (students’ negative view of their writing ability, fear of evaluation and avoidance of writing activities) or level of writing apprehension. And at the end, recommendations were given in order to bring to attention about the relationship and the influence of students’ level of writing apprehension on their writing performances when writing in English at tertiary level.