Using biometric measures to capture foreign language anxiety

Abstract

[EN] Despite foreign language anxiety (FLA) being the most extensively researched emotion in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research (Boudreau et al., 2018; Dewey et al., 2018; MacIntyre, 2017; Teimouri et al., 2019), its measurement has largely relied on self-reported surveys that capture only retrospective and subjective perceptions. This article explores an alternative approach to survey-based research by proposing the integration of biometric data to assess FLA objectively and dynamically. Wearable devices that track physiological indicators such as heart rate now allow researchers to more easily capture real-time fluctuations in anxiety as participants engage in foreign language tasks. This paper provides a practical guide for researchers interested in collecting biometric data, including an overview of available devices and methods.