Second language anxiety in conversation and its relationship with speakers’ perceptions of the interaction and their social networks

Abstract Second language (L2) researchers have long acknowledged the role of anxiety in communication processes, such that learners with greater tend to be less willing engage communication. However, little research has explored links between L2 speakers’ perceptions conversation and dynamic measures anxiety. Therefore, this study measured 60 English galvanic skin response (a physiological index anxiety) during conversation. After conversation, speakers evaluated themselves their partner terms speech fluency comprehensibility, engagement, anxiety, responded trait-anxiety social network questionnaires. Correlational analyses relationships trait-anxiety, characteristics, self- peer-perceptions five levels Findings revealed high arousal interaction was related negative self-perceptions partner’s engagement. Implications are discussed regarding state-anxiety as triggered by partner- or task-specific experiences.