The impact of basic courses in oral interpretation and public speaking on communication apprehension

Abstract

This study compared the influence of basic oral interpretation courses and basic public speaking courses on students' self‐reported levels of communication apprehension. Students enrolled in each course completed the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension‐25 at the beginning and the end of the term. Data analysis revealed that students reported lower communication apprehension after both oral interpretation and public speaking classes. The reduction of participants' levels of communication apprehension did not differ significantly between the public speaking and oral interpretation classes. These results suggest that oral interpretation may be a viable option for the treatment of CA.