From Novice to Expert: Understanding Anxiety Triggers & Coping Mechanisms of EFL Teachers in EMI School

Abstract

Foreign Language Teaching Anxiety (FLTA) is a psychological challenge that may affect teachers’ confidence and teaching effectiveness, particularly among novice EFL teachers who are still adapting to professional demands. This study aimed to investigate the anxiety triggers experienced by novice EFL teachers and the coping mechanisms they employed in an English Medium Instruction (EMI) school. A qualitative case study design was employed in an EMI elementary school in East Java, Indonesia, involving three novice EFL teachers selected through snowball sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and classroom observations using video recordings. The data were analyzed thematically using an abductive approach, combining deductive coding based on Horwitz’s Foreign Language Teaching Anxiety (FLTA) framework with inductive coding to identify context-specific patterns. The findings revealed three major themes related to anxiety triggers: professional expectations in EMI school, language-related challenges in EMI teaching, and instructional challenges in EMI school. These included anxiety related to external judgment, role model expectations, language proficiency, instructional demands, and students’ comprehension. Meanwhile, three themes emerged regarding coping mechanisms: professional learning in EMI school, personal coping strategies, and instructional adaptation in EMI. The findings indicate that novice EFL teachers’ anxiety in EMI contexts is influenced not only by language-related demands but also by professional expectations and instructional responsibilities. To manage these challenges, teachers employed professional development, social support, emotional regulation, acceptance of imperfection, resource utilization, and instructional adaptation. These findings highlight the importance of providing comprehensive professional and emotional support for novice EFL teachers in EMI settings.