CHAPTER 1
PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING
Introduction
Most people experience feelings of anxiety before an important event, such as
a big exam, business presentation, or first date. Anxiety disorders, however, are
illnesses that load people's lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear that are chronic
and unremitting, and that can grow progressively worse. Tormented by panic attacks,
obsessive thoughts, flashbacks of traumatic events, nightmares, or countless
frightening physical symptoms, some people with anxiety disorders even become
housebound.
Anxiety affects our whole being. It affects how we feel, how we behave and
has very real physical symptoms. It feels a bit like fear but whereas we know what we
are frightened of, we often don't know what we are anxious about. Anxiety is a feeling
of nervousness, apprehension, fear, or worry. Some fears and worries are justified,
such as worry about a loved one or in anticipation of taking a quiz, test, or other
examination.
Problem anxiety interferes with the sufferer's ability to sleep or otherwise
function. It is noteworthy that teenagers are particularly susceptible to having
irritability as a symptom of a number of emotional problems, including anxiety.
Anxiety may occur without a cause, or it may occur based on a real situation but may
be out of proportion to what would normally be expected. Severe anxiety can have a
serious impact on daily life. There is variety of anxiety in classroom which influence
classroom atmosphere, students’ moods, perception, learning and eventually
attitudes towards knowledge and school generally.
Background of the Study
The classroom teacher is one of the key persons in the educational enterprise.
As she becomes directly involved in the instructional process in the classroom setting,
the teacher occupies an strategic position in the school system, for on her shoulders
lie the responsibility of translating the curriculum into concrete learning experiences.
The teacher has powerful tool to identify what is actually going on with his class
in general and each individual per se, without any word being said. As a future
teacher, we should know the instructional materials needed in the classroom and the
quality of teaching that will avoid the anxiety of students. It offers the potential to
create and implement highly engaging and effective environment to support a wide
array of learning goals. Improvement on the medium of instruction used in teaching
situation should be implemented to meet the demands of the pedagogical
advancement. Anxiety is the feeling of agitation and distress you experience when
you are faced with a challenge such as performing on stage, competing in an athletic
event or taking an exam.
This is the reason why the researcher became motivated to know the effects
of anxiety of the students in answering essay type questions and what are the ways
to lessen those anxieties to have better performance in answering those kinds of
tests.
Statement of the Problem
This study attempts to determine the effects of anxiety in answering essay
type question in English of Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) students Alabat,
Campus.
Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:
1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:
1.1 Gender; and
1.2 Course?
2. What are the effects of anxiety in answering essay type of question?
3. What are the causes of test anxiety?
4. Is there a significant difference between the responses of the respondents in
terms of gender and course?
Significance of the Study
This study may be of great help to students, English Teacher, the school, and
the researcher who will become a future teacher.
It may be of great help to the students to find out the effects of anxiety in
answering essay type of question.
It may have particularly importance to a teacher for through the study, they
can determine the anxiety of the students toward answering essay type of question.
Through this study, teacher may also become aware of the effects of anxiety
so that they can implement essay type of question that will enhance the ability of his
students.
Scope and Limitation
This study prompted on anxiety in answering essay type question in English of
Southern Luzon State University-Alabat Campus students during the school year
2010-2011. The researcher conducted her research with the use of twenty (20) item
Questionnaire.
Definition of Terms
Anxiety – refers to the emotional characteristics of uneasiness and tension
which usually arise out of the feeling of inferiority, unworthiness and guilt.
Course – is a unit of instruction in a subject.
Essay – is a prose narrative in which the writer shares with the readers his
thoughts and ideas, his feelings and observation on some phases of life.
Gender – is the sexuality of the respondents.
SLSU – Southern Luzon State University- the researcher conducted her
research.
EFFECTS OF ANXIETY IN ANSWERING ESSAY TYPE QUESTION
A Research Paper
Presented to
The Faculty of the School Of Education
SLSU
Alabat, Campus
In Partial Fulfillment
of the requirements for the Subject
Reseach Paper Writing
By:
CAPARROS, ROSE ANN T.
September 03, 2010