Influence of English Conversational Club on English Speaking Anxiety: A Case Study of ISDR-Bukavu English Club
Kiswa Mukika Willy – Bukavu College of Rural Development (ISDR-Bukavu), P. O. Box 2849, Bukavu, DR Congo.
University of Burundi, P. O. Box 2700, Bujumbura, Burundi.
Dunia Ruhondo Emmanuel – Bukavu Teachers Training College (ISP-Bukavu)
Cikuru Balola Fidèle – Kabare Teachers Training College (ISP-Kabare)
Giscard Mukubitho D’Estaing – Uvira Centre for Research in Hydrobiology (CRH-Uvira)
Miletu Mutimanwa – Kamituga Teachers Training College (ISP-Kamituga)
Ntahaliza Kiriza Héritier – Kabare Teachers Training College (ISP-Kabare)
Mikalano Lopez – Bukavu College of Arts, Crafts and Vacational Studies (ISAM-Bukavu)
Jean Marcel Niyomwungere – University of Burundi, P. O. Box 2700, Bujumbura, Burundi
Murhula Ganywamulume Justin – Bukavu College of Rural Development (ISDR-Bukavu), P. O. Box 2849, Bukavu, DR Congo
François Merlan Zaluke Banywesize – Bukavu College of Rural Development (ISDR-Bukavu), P. O. Box 2849, Bukavu, DR Congo
Email : kiswa.mukikawilly@gmail.com ; ORCID ID; https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3787-836X
Abstract: This study sought to determine the level of English speaking anxiety of club members and non-members, the relationship between English conversation club membership and speaking anxiety, and examined whether anxiety levels varied across proficiency levels among English club members. An ex post facto quantitative research design was adopted. Data were collected from 58 students, comprising 29 English club members and 29 non-members. Speaking anxiety was measured using the FLCAS (Cronbach’s alpha = .988). Due to non-normal data distribution, non-parametric tests were performed to compare group means. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare anxiety levels between groups on membership variable and the Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc pairwise comparisons was used to examine differences across proficiency levels. The findings revealed that club members experienced lower levels of English speaking anxiety than non-members. Besides, it was found that this difference was statistically significant (p<.001). Furthermore, significant differences were observed across proficiency levels, advanced students demonstrating significantly lower anxiety compared to upper-intermediate (Adj. Sig. =.008<.017) and intermediate (Adj. Sig. < .001). These findings suggest that participation in English conversation clubs may considerably contribute to reducing speaking anxiety and that higher proficiency is associated with lower anxiety. The study highlighted the pedagogical importance of extracurricular speaking activities in EFL contexts.
