EFL learners' anxieties: Tertiary-level strategies among Omanis

Foreign language acquisition is a complex process that usually involves varying degrees of anxiety among learners. Numerous studies have suggested that Omani EFL learners, at both secondary and tertiary levels, experience a high degree of anxiety (Al Zadjali, 2008; Khan & Al-Mahrooqi, in press). While researchers have long explored ways to alleviate this, they have largely overlooked what students themselves do to tackle the problem. Hence, this study reports on the frequency of use of four kinds of strategies identified by Kondo and Ying-Ling (2004) and Al Zadjali (2008). These are: Preparation Strategies, Positive Thinking Strategies, Assistance Seeking Strategies, and Media and Technology Strategies. The paper also takes account of related gender and language proficiency influences.