Language Learning and Perfectionism: Anxious and Non‐Anxious Language Learners' Reactions to Their Own Oral Performance

Abstract

This interview study sought to clarify the relationship between foreign language anxiety and perfectionism. The comments of anxious and non‐anxious language learners were audiorecorded as they watched themselves interact in a videotaped oral interview. By examining the reactions of the language learners to their actual oral performance and analyzing the audiotapes for instances of perfectionism, evidence was gathered suggesting that anxious and non‐anxious learners differ in their personal performance standards, procrastination, fear of evaluation, and concern over errors. Because the results of this study indicated a link between language anxiety and perfectionism, the article ends with a discussion of procedures that have been used to overcome perfectionism and that may also be helpful to anxious foreign language learners.