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Undergraduate Researcher: BA or MA Thesis

Welcome to the "Fighting the Fear Factor" initiative! Are you looking for an exciting and relevant topic for your Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis in the field of English Didactics? Then you’ve come to the right place. The English Didactics Department at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt invites you to join our initiative and contribute to the research on Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) and Xenoglossophobia through your thesis.

Why "Fighting the Fear Factor"?

Language is the gateway to the world, but for many, this path is fraught with fear and insecurity. Our initiative aims to understand these barriers and find ways to overcome them. As a student, you have the unique opportunity to conduct practical research and develop solutions that will make language learning easier for many people.

Topic Suggestions

Here are some topic suggestions that you could explore for your Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis:

1.      Causes of Foreign Language Anxiety among Students in Foreign Language Classes

2.      Strategies for Reducing Language Anxiety in the Classroom

3.      Comparing FLA Across Different Age Groups

4.      The Role of Teachers in Managing Xenoglossophobia

5.      Impact of Digital Media on Language Learning and Associated Language Anxiety

6.      Effectiveness of Relaxation Techniques and Mindfulness Training in Foreign Language Classes

7.      The Importance of Positive Reinforcement in Reducing FLA

8.      Examining FLA in Teacher Training Students and Their Coping Strategies

Application Process

Interested students please contact Prof. Heiner Böttger for more information and guidance via e-mail: heiner.boettger@ku.de. It is advisable to prepare a short exposé (ca. 4 pages), which includes

  1. a detailed description of your research topic

  2. a first draft of your research question

  3. the planned research method

  4. the thesis' structure / table of contents

  5. a list of preliminary sources from a first literature review

  6. a preliminary time schedule.

Join us in our mission to fight the fear factor in language learning and make a difference in students' educational journeys!

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