Levels Of Communication Apprehension Research Articles

REDUCING STUDENTS’ COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION THROUGH GROUP WORK AS THE INTERACTIVE LEARNING ACTIVITY AT UNIVERSITAS PGRI SUMATERA BARAT

The high level of communication apprehension is one of the most frequent problems for the students as the English foreign language learners, somehow giving the appropriate interactive learning activities could be good solution for these problems. Therefore, this research was aimed at finding out the students’ responses on the using of group work as the learning activities to reduce their communication apprehension. The research was conducted on the second year students of English Department at Universitas PGRI Sumatera Barat. The total number of respondents in this research was 21 students from 2022 B class selected purposively based on the subject matter; speech that use group work as the learning activities. This research was qualitative in nature since it used observation and an interview to collect the data. Students’ positive responses on using group work as the interactive learning activities to reduce their communication apprehension while speaking reached 90 % based on the interview, while data from the observation showed most of the students had positive engagement, good motivation and eager to practice their speech in their own group bravely with high self-confidence. This, the conclusion can be stated that group work as interactive learning activities can help the students to reduce their communication apprehension

Communication Apprehension among the Communication Students of Bangladesh

The aim of this study is to assess the communication apprehension (CA) among the communication students of Bangladesh. The data were collected from 283 students from 10 public universities through the survey method. McCroskey's (1982) Personal Report of Communication Apprehension, also known as the PRCA-24 test was adopted for this study. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics of SPSS 23 software. The study explores that the mean communication apprehension score of communication students of Bangladesh is 68.12 which ascertains the medium level of CA of the students. It also says that 12.6% of students have high CA, 64.7% have medium CA and the rest 13.8% have a low level of communication apprehension. Students are more apprehensive in public communication rather than in group, meeting, and interpersonal communication. Male students have less CA than female students. This research also reveals that those students experience more CA who suffer from depression, prefer loneliness, and spend more time on social media. Communication apprehensive students prefer to sit in the back row or alongside in the classroom setting. Also, CA score is decreased when the age of the student is increased. The study also assesses that students involved with co-curricular activities have less CA than the other students. The study recommends that universities should offer more practical courses in communication to overcome communication apprehension. Keywords: communication, apprehension, communication students, Bangladesh, university students

Is Average Worrying? A Mixed Method Study of Malaysian Public University Administrative Staff’s Workplace Communication Apprehension

Even when employed, English oral communication skills proficiency continues to be an asset; mastering the skill is advantageous. The notion has driven comprehensive studies on communication, including apprehension, yet the focus on workplace contexts remains minimal. Therefore, this investigation aims to discern communication apprehension’s effect on staff’s communication skills, their administrative tasks, and the institution, to support the skill enhancement. Utilizing the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension instrument and a purposive sampling, the study’s explanatory sequential mixed method design sampled institution’s one hundred fifteen administrative staff. The staff communication apprehension levels were recorded as moderate, with the highest in delivering public speeches. Nevertheless, interview results proved differently to extend worrying trends among staff. The trend could jeopardize staff’s personality and productivity in the long run. The mediocre level also hinted at skill’s stagnant inclination or deterioration if it is not consistently used in conducting workplace tasks or events. The need for an impactful lifelong learning professional development plan to improve staff English oral communication skills is apparent by the University. The university's plan also need to include supporting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for their employees.

The Relationship Between Intercultural Communication Apprehension and Therapeutic Communication of Nurses in Regional Public Hospital Ward

Intercultural communication apprehension defined as fear or anxiety as a result of interactions with people from different cultural backgrounds. While therapeutic communication defined as communication carried out by nurses in communicating with clients to build interpersonal relationships. This research was conducted to determine the relationship between intercultural communication apprehension and therapeutic communication in hospital ward nurse. Correlational quantitative research design with a cross-sectional survey design approach used consisted of 98 nurse respondents determined through the total sampling technique. Personal Report of Intercultural Communication Appreciation (PRICA) questionnaire and the therapeutic communication questionnaire showed that intercultural communication apprehension level among nurses was mostly at moderate level with a total of 69 nurses (70.4%) while nurse therapeutic communication was mostly at good level with a total of 82 nurses (83.7%). The Kendall's Tau-B test showed that there was no significant relationship with a p value of 0.698. Communication anxiety level can be influenced by gender, and ethnocentrism. While therapeutic communication can be influenced by age, gender, culture and language, level of education, and length of work of nurses. Nurses' understanding regarding these factors is needed to avoid intercultural communication anxiety and to improve therapeutic communication that can affect the quality of health services.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY, PUBLIC SPEAKING EXPERIENCE, AND COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION IN ORAL PRESENTATION OF POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS

Oral presentation apprehension plagues people when they communicate orally, especially when they make oral presentations in public. This study examined the relationship between English proficiency, public speaking experience, and communication apprehension in polytechnic students during oral presentations. The study involved 62 students from a polytechnic in Sarawak, Malaysia, who filled in the PRCA-24 questionnaire that focused on the elements of public speaking. The results showed that 6.4% of the students had a low level of communication apprehension, while 71% had a moderate level of communication apprehension. For 22.6% of the students, the level of apprehension was very high. The students felt anxious and uncomfortable when asked to give an oral presentation. The t-test showed that the male students significantly differed from the female students regarding their communication apprehension. The mean scores showed that the male students experienced greater communication apprehension (M= 2.19 ± 0.52) than the female students (M= 2.00 ± 0.44). There was a significant negative relationship between oral presentation experience and the level of communication apprehension. These results may suggest that extensive training in public speaking can improve public speaking skills and enhance employability opportunities.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING LEVEL AMONG FOREIGN NATIONAL MIDWIFERY STUDENTS

Intercultural communication is defined as the communication process that occurs between peopleor groups from different cultures. Intercultural communication apprehension, on the other hand, is definedas the anxiety experienced when communicating with people from different groups. This study wasconducted to determine the impact of intercultural communication apprehension level on the professionallearning level among foreign national midwifery students. The data for this cross-sectional study wascollected between February 2023 and April 2023. Prior to the study, approval was obtained from the Socialand Humanities Research Ethics Committee of a University (Date: 27.02.2023 and Number: E-77192459-050.99-224243). The population of the study consisted of foreign national students studying in themidwifery department of a university's health sciences faculty in Turkey (N=179). No sampling wasperformed, and data was collected from 86 students who agreed to participate in the study. The data for thestudy was collected online using the "Personal Information Form," "Sources and Problems of MotivationScale," and "Intercultural Communication Apprehension Scale." SPSS version 23 was used for dataanalysis. Descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation, and frequency were used to analyze thesociodemographic characteristics of the participants. The relationship between the scales was examinedusing Pearson correlation analysis. The data obtained was evaluated at a significance level of p<0.05 and aconfidence interval of 95%. The mean age of the students is 22.8 ± 1.7. The mean score for the InterculturalCommunication Anxiety Scale (ICAS) is 48.5 ± 8.7, indicating that the students experience a moderatelevel of anxiety. The mean score for the Sources and Problems of Motivation Scale (SPMS) is 88.9 ± 12.There is a statistically significant moderate positive linear relationship between SPMS and ICAS scoresamong the students (r = 0.491, p <0.001).As a result of this study, it was found that first-year students experience more intercultural communicationanxiety compared to other students and as students' intercultural communication anxiety increases, theirsources of motivation and problems also increase.

Do English Education Department Students Experience Communication Apprehension? An Investigation of Their Level and Strategies

In recent decades, investigation on students’ communication apprehension has emerged after being abandoned. It is believed classroom interaction in oral competency consists of students’ activities which mainly facilitate them to develop their communication skill. However, not all students have the same ability in communication. This study aims to investigate the students’ level of communication apprehension and their strategies used to overcome. The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension-24 instrument was used to measure students’ level of communication apprehension, and was analyzed with quantitative descriptive. Interview was conducted to find out their strategies to overcome it. The data collection method was carried out by distributing to 20 respondents, the English education department students of Universitas PGRI Yogyakarta. The obtained data in the form of questionnaire transcription was analyzed as its formula, while interview data was be analyzed through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing/verification. The results showed that 5 students were categorized as low level, 3 students were in average level, and 12 students experienced in the high level. Efforts done by students to overcome the communication apprehension are cognitive, affective and social strategies. Based on the findings, it can be declared that majority of students experienced high level of communication apprehension and they preferred affective strategy to reduce communication apprehension. Findings of the research demanded the lecturers conduct meaningful activities such as group discussion to promote autonomous students’ communication practice.

A Cognitive Model for Developing University Students' Communication Skills

This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of a learning model in developing students' communication skills and reducing their communication apprehension level. This model consists of three main elements, each of which has sub-elements. It takes the students through three different phases starting with raising awareness and reaching autonomy. A training program and an assessment battery were developed and administered. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyze data. There were significant differences among the pre, post, and follow-up measurements. The pedagogical implications of the study have been discussed.

Moderating Effects of Self-Esteem on the Relationship between Communication Anxiety and Academic Performance among Female Health College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Unprecedented quarantine due to COVID-19 exposes individuals to withdraw from face-to-face interactions, which may influence communication and self-esteem (SE). Therefore, the overarching aims of this study are to examine the communication apprehension levels among female college students, and thus to investigate the moderating role of self-esteem on the relationship between communication apprehension and academic achievement. In this cross-sectional study, 287 female college students completed the survey, which was circulated through email. The survey included the following questionnaires: General Health Characteristics, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and Personal Report of Communication Apprehension Scale. The results showed that 28.2% of participants were categorized as having a high level of communication apprehension, and only 9.8% had a low level of communication apprehension. The SE reported an overall score of 24.3 ± 2.14, indicating a high self-esteem level among students. The students' grade point average (GPA) was positively correlated with SE. However, self-esteem as a moderator variable had no significant effect on the relationships between all predictors and GPA. The finding of the study highlights the need to implement different strategies to enhance students' group discussions, meetings, and interpersonal communication to ensure the best learning outcomes. Future studies are required to investigate gender-based disparities in the relationship between communication apprehension and SE.

Exploring EFL Learners’ Intercultural Sensitivity and Communication Apprehension

This study aimed to investigate the average level of intercultural sensitivity and communication apprehension of EFL teaching assistants learners. In addition to propose the correlation between intercultural sensitivity and communication apprehension. In this study, the researchers selected and applied the mixed-method research paradigm. According to the findings of the research, intercultural sensitivity and communication apprehension have some positive effects on the performance of EFL teaching assistants (TA). The correlation and recognition can be measurably important in the intercultural sensitivity and communication apprehension for social contrasts in the temporary workplace with a high level. Proposing collaboration and adaptability in intercultural sensitivity and communication apprehension with EFL teaching assistants (TA) in order to modify negative respect, enjoyment, and open-mindedness caused by cultural differences. This furthermore encompasses the ability to deal with the tension and anxiety that comes with situations characterized by cultural variances.

An Evaluation of Turkish Nurses' Cultural Intelligence Levels and Intercultural Communication Apprehension.

This study aims to discuss cultural intelligence levels and intercultural communication apprehension of nurses. This study was designed as a descriptive and cross-sectional study, and it was conducted with 252 nurses working in a hospital in a south city of Turkey. The research data were collected via a "Personal Information Form" designed by the researchers, "The Cultural Intelligence Scale," and "The Intercultural Communication Apprehension Scale." It was concluded that nurses had moderate levels of cultural intelligence and intercultural communication apprehension, which were positively correlated (p < .001). Cultural intelligence levels and intercultural communication apprehension were further correlated with certain variables such as age, gender, job duration, foreign language proficiency, and their experiences in foreign countries (p < .05). In light of the results, it was suggested that moderate levels of intercultural communication apprehension can be a supportive factor in developing cultural intelligence. It was also added that preventing excessive intercultural communication apprehension and supporting nurses to improve language skills and to have abroad experience may be beneficial in developing cultural intelligence.

Needs Analysis for the Development of a Counseling Module as an Intervention to Reduce Communication Apprehension among Students of Higher Learning Institutions

Communication apprehension can hinder communication skills among higher learning institutions students in their employment. Communication apprehension refers to an inability of a person to communicate effectively as a worker. Therefore, this article aims to identify the level of communication apprehension problems in various situations and the needs analysis to develop a counseling module to be used by counselors to reduce communication apprehension among higher learning institutions students. The study was conducted using a quantitative cross-sectional survey. A total of 384 students from six universities of different programs were selected to participate in this study. The findings from each item using the Personnel Instrument Communication Apprehension (PRCA 24) revealed that there is a need to design a counseling module. In addition, the findings from the descriptive statistics indicated that the majority of the participants had a moderate to a higher level of communication apprehension. Meanwhile, the analysis of the activities to be included in designing a counseling module should focus on the components of thoughts and feelings. Due to this, the cognitive behavior therapy is suitable as the basis for designing a module to reduce communication apprehension among students. The findings from this study have a significant contribution to counselors and lecturers who are dealing with students’ affairs in helping them solve this issue once they register as universities students. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a need for one strategy or action to assist tertiary students who have problem in communication apprehension.

Communication Apprehension Among Health Professions Students in Brazil

Objective. To determine the levels of communication apprehension experienced by health professions students in Brazil.Method. A cross-sectional study of dentistry, pharmacy, medicine, and nursing students at a Brazilian university was conducted from December 2019 to May 2020. The students were invited to complete the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24) and provide demographic data. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted.Results. A total of 644 health students answered the survey, and 25.5% were classified as having high communication apprehension. Male participants had significantly lower PRCA-24 scores than female participants. No significant differences were found between PRCA-24 scores by age category or academic year. Medical students had significantly lower mean PRCA-24 scores than pharmacy students.Conclusion. The prevalence of communication apprehension was high among health professions students. Women and pharmacy students had the highest communication apprehension scores. Health educators should consider the effects of communication apprehension on students and use adequate interventions during communication skills training to alleviate this apprehension.

Moderating Effect of Interaction on the Relationship between Perceived Presence and Course Satisfaction according to the level of Communication Apprehension of Students who completed Teaching Profession: Focusing on Online Small Group Cooperative Learning

목적 이 연구는 온라인 소그룹 협동학습 환경에서 의사소통불안 수준에 따른 지각된 사회적실재감&#8901;교수실재감과 수업만족도의 관계에서 상호작용 수준의 조절효과를 비교, 분석함으로써 의사소통불안을 겪는 교직이수 대학생들을 위한 효과적인 온라인수업설계 방향을 제언하는데 연구의 목적을 두고 있다. 방법 21-1학기 교직이론과목을 수강하고 있는 교직이수 학생 64명을 대상으로 하고 있으며, SPSS통계분석을 통해 집단 간 차이를 분석하기 위한 t-검증을 실시하였고, 조절효과를 분석하기 위하여 위계적 회귀분석을 실시하고 각 수준별 t값 유의수준을 통해 조절효과의 유의성검증을 실시하였다. 결과 첫째, 사회적 실재감과 수업만족도의 관계에서 의사소통불안 ‘상’ 수준 학생들의 경우, 모든 상호작용 수준(상, 중, 하)에서 수업만족도를 강화하는 조절효과를 나타냈다. 그리고 의사소통불안 ‘중’ 수준의 경우에는 상호작용 ‘중’, ‘하’ 수준에서 수업만족도를 강화하는 조절효과를 나타냈다. 둘째, 교수실재감과 수업만족도의 관계에서 의사소통불안 ‘상’ 수준의 경우, 모든 상호작용 수준에서 조절효과를 나타내지 않았다. 그러나 의사소통불안 ‘중’ 수준의 경우 상호작용 수준 ‘중’, ‘하’ 수준에서 수업만족도를 강화하는 조절효과를 나타냈다. 그리고 교수실재감과 상호작용 수준이 높아질수록 수업만족도는 낮아지는 역전현상을 나타내었다. 결론 의사소통불안이 높은 학생들을 대상으로 하는 온라인수업의 경우 보다 효과적인 수업을 위하여 텍스트기반의 상호작용매체와 소그룹 협동학습의 중요성, 그리고 의사소통불안 수준에 따른 실재감의 차별적인 효과성이 있음을 보고하였다.

Communication anxiety and self-confidence among learners of English as a foreign language: The role of learning cooperatively

The present study investigated the impact of learning a foreign language cooperatively on boosting self-confidence and alleviating communication anxiety among learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). One hundred and thirty-five intermediate EFL male and female language learners, homogenized via a language proficiency test, were randomly assigned into two groups of 65 (the experimental group) and 70 (the control group). Participants were then administered two questionnaires to measure levels of oral communication apprehension and self-confidence before the study. On the final session of each class, the questionnaires were re-administered as post-tests and the participants were interviewed. The findings obtained from the statistical analyses as well as the qualitative analysis of the interviews demonstrated that incorporating the principles of learning cooperatively in EFL speaking classes can significantly affect the level of self-confidence and lower the communication apprehension levels. Findings are discussed and implications for EFL classrooms are elaborated upon. Keywords: Anxiety; communication; English; foreign language; learning cooperatively; self-confidence.

Perceptions of Pornography and Attitudes Toward Condom Use in Heterosexual Chinese Adults: The Effect of Sexual Pleasure, Safer Sex Communication Apprehension, and Shared Pornography Use During Sex.

Chinese people's pornography use is increasing and condomless sex is prevalent in pornography. However, both the relationship between pornography and condom use among Chinese adults and the mechanisms underlying this relationship are underexplored. This study examined how perceptions of pornography were associated with attitudes toward condom use through the mediating effect of gratification of sexual pleasure and safer sex communication apprehension, and how shared pornography use with a partner during sex moderated these relationships. A total of 658 participants (391 women and 267 men) aged 18-65years and involved in a romantic relationship completed an online survey assessing pornography consumption, condom use, gratification of sexual pleasure, and safer sex communication apprehension. Results showed that expressive/erotic perceptions of pornography were associated with higher levels of gratification of sexual pleasure, which were, in turn, associated with more negative attitudes toward condom use. Expressive/erotic perceptions of pornography were also associated with lower levels of safer sex communication apprehension and lower levels of negative attitudes toward condom use. Higher levels of shared pornography use with a partner during sex strengthened the direct positive relationship between expressive/erotic perceptions of pornography and negative attitudes toward condom use. Higher levels of shared pornography use during sex also strengthened the positive relationship between expressive/erotic perceptions of pornography and gratification of sexual pleasure, and the negative relationship between expressive/erotic perceptions of pornography and safer sex communication apprehension, which in turn, were significantly associated with attitudes toward condom use. Implications for sexual health education and limitations are discussed.

“No trolls left behind!”: Using films to address communication apprehension in the English language classroom at Universiti Utara Malaysia

Silence in the English language classroom is a common problem faced by language instructors, especially for students in the lower proficiency classes and instructors see language anxiety as one of the main reasons this is so. The intervention of educational entertainment or Edutainment in the English Language classroom is important to improve the language learning experience of this generation of millennial students. This paper looks at Films to provide not only language learning enjoyment but useful input to students of the lowest level English course at UUM. In this research, intervention in the form of film viewing and activities related to the films was carried out. A class of twenty students from a first level English class weregiven six movies of their choice to watch and conduct activities with in addition to the normal course scheme of work.Through film viewing and activities, students were exposed to language use in context which is supported by visual and linguistic support and storyline. Before and after the intervention, The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA24) instrument which measures levels of Communication Apprehension was administered. The results of the study shows that students indicated lower communication apprehension levelsoverall and within the subcategories of group discussion, meetings, interpersonal communication and public speaking. Students’ reflections were also positive in nature. The findings of this study concur that language acquisition takes place meaningfully through films by providing comprehensible input and that films are an important medium that facilitate communication and language learning for this generationof students

French and Chinese Third Language Learners’ Communication Apprehension in a Nigerian University: Influence of Prior Knowledge and Their Demographic Profiles

Our study examined the influence of third language learners’ prior knowledge and socio-demographic variables on their communication apprehension. Two hundred and twenty-six third language learners (French n=136 and Chinese n= 90) participated in the study. Data obtained were subjected to point-biserial, multiple regression and t-test statistics. We found that participants’ prior knowledge of their target languages has significant main effects on their communication apprehension. Significant mean differences occurred in the level of communication apprehension as a result of participants’ gender, language of specialization and level of parental education. Regression analysis showed that the joint contribution of prior knowledge, parental level of education, language of specialization and gender on third language learners’ communication apprehension was significant; contributing 13.4% to explain the variances in response. Language of specialization and prior knowledge made significant individual contributions to students’ communication apprehension with language of specialization being the most individual contributor to the variances in students’ responses. Our study has implications for curriculum planners given that if third language curricula are designed to link what is learnt in the university to what is learnt at the primary and secondary schools, learners will find the target language familiar, which may help them overcome the feelings of communication apprehension. Received: 4 May 2021 / Accepted: 12 July 2021 / Published: 5 September 2021

Involvement in Extracurricular Activities and Overcoming High Levels of Communication Apprehension among Saudi EFL Majors

This study attempted to examine the relationship between participation in extracurricular activities and levels of Communication Apprehension (CA) among English as a foreign language (EFL) students and explore the students’ perspectives of how extracurricular activities affect their communication skills. The study addressed the following two questions: a) what is the relationship between EFL students’ involvement in extracurricular activities and their level of Communication Apprehension?, b) What are the EFL students’ perspectives regarding the effect of extracurricular activities on their communication skills?. The participants were 40 EFL students among 80 who participated in extracurricular activities at the College of Languages and Translation at Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh. The participants were asked to complete a Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24) to examine their levels of CA as well as a questionnaire about their attitudes toward extracurricular activities. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 participants to explore their perspectives in depth. The findings showed that most participants had moderate levels of CA and that 100% of the participants agreed that participation in extracurricular activities helped them reduce CA and improve their communication skills. The study also showed that extracurricular activities were more helpful than classroom activities in improving communication skills. This study is significant in that it shed the light on the importance of involvement in extracurricular activities and their role in improving EFL students’ communication skills and lowering CA levels. Thus, it is recommended to encourage EFL students to participate in extracurricular activities and consider including such activities in course requirements and teaching materials.

First-year students’ communication apprehension in learning French as foreign language

Learning a foreign language and being first-year students at the same time can be challenging as they struggle to make the transition in learning a new language and adjusting to their new lives as a university student. Students have to deal with not only the academic challenges but also the adaptation challenge since they are making a transition to their new day to day life on campus. One of the significant challenges students frequently faces as a foreign language learner is a lack of communication confidence, which can turn into a hampering factor for their academic achievements. This mixed-methods study aimed to examine students’ communication apprehension (CA) level and explore factors that contributed to their current level of CA. In this paper, the authors measured the level of CA in 57 first-year students of French Language departments in an Indonesian university. Quantitative data was analysed via McCroskey’s Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24). Qualitative questions explored how the first-year students perceived their senses of experiencing the communication apprehension. In addition, the qualitative thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the qualitative data. The findings indicated a moderate level of CA in most of the first-year studentssuch as fear of negative evaluation which was considered as the leading cause of the students’ high level of anxiety., Meanwhile, while prior knowledge and a supportive teacher-student relations were appraised as the main foundation of the low level of CA students.