Overcoming oral communication apprehension: A call for a renewed focus on confidence building in business education

Abstract

This study explored communication apprehension at the beginning and end of a business communication course. Nearly 200 students completed pre-class and post-class assessments of their communication apprehension in speech situations, class discussions, and group discussions. This study showed that a single business communication course significantly reduces oral communication apprehension. Yet, many students still hold communication apprehension at the end of the class. Thus, an approach that is strategic and program long could better address communication apprehension. The confidence gap between women and men is the most striking aspect of this study, with women possessing much more communication apprehension. Business educators should consider interventions to reduce or eliminate this gap.