Factors Affecting Shyness in EFL Classrooms

The present study examined factors affecting shyness in EFL classrooms. To this end, a sample of 124 a standardized Shyness Scale (SS) and a Shyness Factors Questionnaire (SFQ). Employing a descriptive research design, the researcher used Descriptive Statistics to analyze the collected data using SPSS. The findings indicate that 65% of the participants are shy and battle with negative emotions such as embarrassment, anxiety, low self-confidence, fear of making mistakes, and fear of being judged when speaking in EFL classrooms. These feelings were found to be intensified by negative classroom experiences, such as peer ridicule and judgmental attitudes during their formative years, which lingered into their adulthood as well as present cultural and environmental factors including limited social exposure and high academic expectations from their families. The results of this study highlight the importance of student welfare and the impact of bullying and verbal abuse on shy EFL learners.