The pertinence of addressing the affective filter in EFL Costa Rican classrooms and strategies to lower it

Abstract

This paper explains the relevance that the affective filter has on students’ learning processes and the different approaches that can be implemented to reduce its negative effects. At this time, several studies have confirmed the role that the affective spectrum plays on students’ proficiency in a foreign language and how necessary it is to address this issue. In order to collect information about the negative impact of the affective filter and the strategies that can be used, an exhaustive analysis of different studies was carried out. This analysis shows that when students’ affective filter is ‘high’—e.g. feeling anxious, frustrated, stressed—students eventually become uninterested and unmotivated about the subject matter and the activities carried out in class. Also, they could become apathetic to the relationships that could be built with other classmates due to the fear of being criticized, and as a result, students’ learning process would be hindered. Moreover, some effective methods are discussed as well, such as using humor as a tool in the class, having discussions about the topics that are to be introduced, using English captions, applying relevant topics to teach, implementing songs and games, introducing self-soothing strategies, and creating teacher-student rapport to encourage a healthy and comfortable environment within the classroom. Overall, it is concluded that students having a ‘high’ affective filter leads to a learning process being negatively affected. Then, the importance of examining possible procedures to help students succeed is emphasized as well.