An Empirical Analysis of German Language Anxiety and Its Relationship to Oral Proficiency Among Masters Students in South South Nigeria

This study empirically analyses the relationship between foreign language anxiety and oral proficiency in German among Masters students at the University of Port Harcourt and the University of Benin, both located in the South South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Foreign language anxiety, a situational anxiety specific to foreign language production contexts, has been identified as a significant inhibitor of oral performance in multiple language learning contexts. However, the empirical relationship between anxiety and oral proficiency in German at the postgraduate level in Nigeria has not been rigorously tested. The study administers the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale alongside a standardised German oral proficiency interview to 120 Masters students. Anxiety scores and oral proficiency ratings are subjected to Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis, controlling for prior language experience, length of study, and self-reported study frequency. Findings confirm a statistically significant negative relationship between anxiety and oral proficiency, with anxiety accounting for approximately 22 percent of variance in oral performance after controlling for background variables. Analysis of anxiety subscales reveals that communication apprehension is the strongest predictor of oral performance deficits. The study recommends anxiety-reduction interventions in postgraduate German oral communication courses, including desensitisation exercises and structured speaking partnerships. Keywords: language anxiety, German oral proficiency, Masters students, South South Nigeria, communication apprehension.