Analysis of Emotional Intelligence on Speaking Anxiety of English Education Students at STAIN Majene

Abstract

Researcher : Fajriansyah Reg. Number : 10256121035 Title : ANALYSIS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON SPEAKING ANXIETY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDENTS AT STAIN MAJENE

Speaking anxiety is a common emotional issue experienced by students in speaking classes, which affects their fluency, confidence, and ability to express ideas effectively. This condition highlights the importance of managing emotional aspects through the development of emotional intelligence. This study aims to describe the implementation of the RULER strategy for managing speaking anxiety and to explore the role of emotional intelligence in helping students in the English Language Education Program at STAIN Majene cope with it. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach. The data were collected through classroom observations and in-depth interviews. The observations focused on students’ emotional responses before and during speaking activities, while the interviews explored students’ emotional experiences and their perceptions of the implementation of the RULER strategy. The findings revealed that prior to the implementation of the RULER strategy, students experienced high levels of speaking anxiety, characterized by nervousness, difficulty concentrating, and a lack of structured emotional regulation strategies. This anxiety was influenced by cognitive and situational factors, such as negative thoughts, fear of making mistakes, pressure from lecturers and peers, and low self-confidence. After implementing the RULER strategy, students demonstrated improvements in emotional awareness and regulation. They became more capable of recognizing, understanding, and managing their emotions through adaptive strategies such as deep breathing and positive self-talk. Although the anxiety did not completely disappear, its intensity became more manageable, allowing students to feel calmer, more focused, and more confident when speaking. In conclusion, the RULER strategy, as an application of emotional intelligence, helps students manage speaking anxiety and improves their speaking performance in English language learning. Keywords: RULER strategy, emotional intelligence, speaking anxiety, emotion regulation, speaking performance.