Exploring and Analyzing the Effect of Avatar's Visual Style on Anxiety of English as Second Language (ESL) Speakers

Abstract

Virtual avatars offer new opportunities to reshape communication experiences beyond traditional live video. However, it remains unclear how avatar representations influence communication anxiety for English as a Second Language (ESL) speakers, and why such effects emerge. To take a first step to address this, we conducted a controlled laboratory study in which Mandarin-speaking ESL participants engaged in one-on-one conversations under three representation conditions: live video, stylized avatars, and realistic avatars. We assessed anxiety using both self-reported measures and physiological signals (EDA, ECG, PPG). Our results show that avatar style plays a critical role in shaping communication anxiety. While live video remained a strong baseline with low subjective anxiety, stylized avatars achieved comparable-and in some cases lower-physiological anxiety levels, whereas realistic avatars elicited higher anxiety. Beyond these effects, our findings reveal three underlying mechanisms that explain how avatar representations shape ESL communication anxiety: (1) facial expressiveness; (2) perceived feedback and fear of negative evaluation; and (3) contextual appropriateness. This work provides actionable design implications for developing avatar-mediated communication systems that support emotionally sustainable cross-linguistic interaction.