Foreign language anxiety (or xenoglossophobia) is the feeling of unease, worry, nervousness and apprehension experienced when learning or using a second or foreign language.

The effects of foreign language anxiety also extend outside the second language classroom.

Foreign language anxiety, however, is situation specific and so can also affect individuals who are not characteristically anxious in other situations.

Foreign language anxiety is a form of what psychologists describe as specific anxiety reaction.

A number of tools have been developed to investigate the level of foreign language anxiety experienced by language learners.

A high level of foreign language anxiety may also correspond with communication apprehension, causing individuals to be quieter and less willing to communicate.

Foreign language anxiety is a specific variety of anxiety condition pertaining to foreign language learning.

Many language learners experience foreign language anxiety, feelings of apprehensiveness and nervousness, when learning a second language.

The causes of foreign language anxiety have been broadly separated into three main components: communication apprehension, test anxiety and fear of negative evaluation.

The effects of foreign language anxiety are particularly evident in the foreign language classroom, and anxiety is a strong indicator of academic performance.

Foreign language anxiety (or xenoglossophobia) is the feeling of unease, worry, nervousness and apprehension experienced when learning or using a second or foreign language.