Biases in Self‐Ratings of Second Language Proficiency: The Role of Language Anxiety (original) (raw)

Previous studies have shown a strong link between participants' apprehension about communicating and their perception of communicative competence in both native (L1) and second (L2) languages. This apprehension may intensify when participants communicate in the L2, especially ifthey believe their level ofL2 competence to be very low. This study examines perceived competence in an L2 as a function of actual competence and language anxiety Thirty-seven young adult Aaglophone students, with widely varied competence in French, participated. They completed scales of language anxiety and a modified version of the "can-do" test, which assessed their selfperceptions of competence on 26 French tasks. They then attempted each ofthose tasks. We found that L2 language This studywas first presenteil atthe annual convention ofthe Canadian Psychological Association, Penticton, BC, June