Utilizing Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) for Measuring English Listening Anxiety

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of using Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) as a useful measuring tool for English listening anxiety in Korean High School students. This study used an abridged form of the Foreign Language Listening Anxiety Scale (FLLAS) and a GSR sensor to assess the state of anxiety through sweat gland activity. This study aimed to investigate the availability of GSR to appreciate listening anxiety, which is discrete with traditional self-report surveys in that it reflects physiological responses according to psychological arousal. What this study found was that the measured values of FLLAS and a GSR sensor were not correlated overall. However, particularly regarding typical listening question types, GSR turned out to have practicality as a measuring tool for listening anxiety. The different listening comprehension question types were the same format of Test of English Proficiency (TEPS) developed by Seoul National University. Considering the results of this study, GSR could especially trace the development of momentary and particular listening anxiety when conducting listening comprehension tasks.