Effects of L1 and L2 Communication Apprehension on Speaking Skills of Japanese University Students

This study explores the effect of communication apprehension in both L1 and L2 on proficiency in word stress of Japanese university students. Two structured, closed-ended questionnaires, the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA) and the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) were utilized along with speaking scores. A target word in an exclamatory sentence was used to examine word stress that affects intelligibility in spoken English. Acoustic correlates of the differences between stressed and unstressed syllables were investigated with four acoustic parameters: fundamental frequency (fo) range, fo slope, duration, and intensity. Results showed that of the four parameters, word stress represented by fo range and fo slope showed a significant negative correlation with L1 communication apprehension. In addition, speaking scores were related to L1 communication apprehension and word stress proficiency represented by fo range. These findings also suggest the effect of communication apprehension on English prosody as demonstrated by fo. In addition, speaking scores were related to L1 communication apprehenison and proficiency in word stress represented by fo range. These findings suggest the effect of communication apprehension on English speaking skills.