The impact of contemplative practices on foreign language anxiety and learning
Emily E. Scida, Jill E. Jones
Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching December 29, 2017 DOI: 10.14746/ssllt.2017.7.4.2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental comparison study with pre- and post-test surveys, exam scores, interviews, and course evaluations Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Students enrolled in an advanced intermediate Spanish language course in the USA |
| Intervention | Contemplative practices |
| Dose | 10-minute contemplative practices once a week |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Brief weekly contemplative practices were associated with significantly higher classroom climate scores and course exam grades compared with a non-contemplative group, but no significant group differences appeared in foreign language anxiety, self-efficacy, or affect. Foreign language anxiety decreased significantly over the semester in both groups, while affect and self-efficacy did not change. |
Abstract
This study looked at the impact of the integration of contemplative practices on foreign language anxiety, positive and negative affect, self-efficacy, classroom climate, and language learning in students enrolled in an advanced intermediate Spanish language course in the USA. Data included pre- and post-test surveys, exam scores to measure learning outcomes, student interviews, and course evaluations. In the contemplative group, students engaged in brief 10-minute contemplative practices once a week, while the non-contemplative group followed the same syllabus but was not exposed to contemplative practices. Analysis of the data showed no significant differences in foreign language anxiety, self-efficacy or affect between the non-contemplative and contemplative groups at post-test but significantly higher scores on classroom climate measures in the contemplative group. Significantly higher grades were found on course exams for students in the contemplative group. Analysis of the pre-/post-survey data revealed a significant decrease in foreign language anxiety in both groups over the semester but not for affect or self-efficacy. This study extends the existing research on contemplative practices to a new context—affect and learning in foreign language courses.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Veterans with chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder seeking treatment at a VA... | 2013 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual comparison group | n = 37 |
| Being present in the face of existential threat: The role of trait mindfulness in reducing defensive responses to mortality salience. | 2010 | Experimental study | |
| Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Healthy adults with no prior meditation experience | 2013 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 15 |
| Intensive mindfulness training-related changes in cognitive and emotional experience Community adults | 2009 | Quasi-experimental and longitudinal | n = 69 |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Mindfulness and foreign language achievement: a meta-analytic study on interventions and correlations. Frontiers in Psychology May 14, 2025
- Mindfulness matters in the classroom: A pilot study of a university-wide classroom-based brief mindfulness program. Journal of American College Health July 25, 2023
- Teaching meditation to college students within an historical and cultural context: A qualitative analysis of undergraduate reflections on contemplative practice Current Psychology February 12, 2022
- The Effect of Pranayamic Breathing as a Positive Psychology Exercise on Foreign Language Learning Anxiety and Test Anxiety Among Language Learners at Tertiary Level. Frontiers in Psychology 2021
Cites 11
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- Cultivating mindfulness: effects on well‐being Journal of Clinical Psychology May 16, 2008
and 6 more in the library