Implementing Applied Theatre Practice to Reduce EFL Public Speaking Anxiety: A Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study was intended to explore the effects of public theatrical performances in reducing EFL college students' public speaking anxiety (PSA). The research lasted for one academic year. The subjects were two classes of Applied English seniors who took EFL public speaking classes with the researcher in a central Taiwan university of science and technology. The two classes were arranged in two experimental conditions: (a) one class (N=36) as the control group without English drama experience; (b) the other class (N=47) as the experimental group receiving English drama experience of two English theatrical performances. The research instrument was adapted from Personal Report of Communication Apprehension-24. Progress was tracked by comparing the two classes' PSA perception as reflected in three surveys conducted: 1) at the beginning of the research, 2) after the first public performance, and 3) after the second public performance near the end of the academic year. The results revealed that there were no significant differences in the control group's PSA over the research period. There was no significant reduction in the PSA of the experimental group with the first English theatrical performance added to the EFL public speaking training, but the second English theatrical performance produced efficacious PSA reduction in the experimental group. Limitations and suggestions for further research are discussed at the end of the paper.