Language Shock in Classroom English Teaching: A Study of Affect and the Role of Mother Tongue in Foreign Language Teaching

Language shock, as an affect phenomenon in foreign language learning, is often neglected in classroom teaching. It refers to a condition of fear, anxiety or nervousness when adult learners use a foreign language to express their ideas; the learners appear unnatural, depressed and unconfident in using the target language. This article describes language shock phenomenon in postgraduate English classroom teaching based on a questionnaire survey, analyzes why the phenomenon occurs and how it influences L2 learning, and puts forward that affect and mother tongue, as the two important factors influencing L2 learning should not be neglected. From the perspective of language-thought interaction, Humanistic Approach, and language identity (mother tongue and L2 interdependence), mother tongue is necessary and useful in helping the students cope with language shock in L2 learning. In this way they can learn a foreign language in a more natural and relaxing way.