Mother Tongue Influence on Writing Apprehension of Jordanian Student StudyingEnglish Language: Case Study

Abstract

Numerous researchers in the area of English writing instruction have highlighted that writing apprehension is an important factor that affects the quality as well as perception of writing amongst students. Thus, this research aims to investigate the cause of writing apprehension of Jordanian EFL students at Yarmouk University in Jordan. The sampling of this study consisted of 24 third year students studying B.A English Language at Yarmouk University in Jordan for the academic year 2010/ 2011. The instruments used in this study were focus group interview. The results of this study showed that majority of the Jordanian EFL students at Yarmouk University in Jordan experienced high level of writing apprehension . A valuable insight revealed by the findings of this current study is that teachers using the mother tongue, that is the Arabic language in an attempt to explain while teaching in the English writing class, is seen by respondents as contributing to their high level of apprehension. It is clear here that what is being implied is that using Arabic in the writing classroom will not improve the students’ proficiency level which in turn will affect their apprehension level and hence their ability to write in English.