Speaking Anxiety Research Articles

Virtual Reality as a Tool for Public Speaking Training: Assessing Efficacy and Engagement

This study investigates the efficacy and engagement of virtual reality (VR) as a tool for public speaking training. The primary objective is to qualitatively analyze the literature to understand how VR technology can enhance public speaking skills and increase user engagement compared to traditional training methods. The research employs a qualitative literature review methodology, synthesizing findings from academic articles, industry reports, case studies, and empirical studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in this field. The literature review methodology involves systematically collecting and analyzing scholarly sources that explore various aspects of VR in public speaking training. The study categorizes the literature into key themes, such as the effectiveness of VR in simulating real-life speaking scenarios, the psychological benefits of using VR for reducing anxiety, and the levels of user engagement and motivation in VR-based training programs. Thematic analysis is used to identify patterns and trends in how VR influences public speaking proficiency and participant engagement. The findings indicate that VR offers a highly immersive and interactive environment that can closely mimic real-life public speaking situations, providing users with valuable practice opportunities. Studies show that VR can significantly reduce public speaking anxiety by allowing users to repeatedly practice in a controlled, virtual setting. Additionally, VR-based training programs are found to be more engaging and motivating for users, leading to higher levels of participation and improved learning outcomes.

Virtual reality exposure therapy for reducing students’ public speaking anxiety: A systematic review

Virtual reality exposure therapy for reducing students’ public speaking anxiety: A systematic review

The impact of audience dynamics on public speaking anxiety in virtual scenarios: An online survey

BackgroundPublic speaking is one of the most commonly feared situations reported in both community and university samples. Despite extensive theoretical models and empirical studies aimed at delineating the underlying factors of Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA), the specific variables contributing to its onset remain incompletely characterised. MethodsThe research involved 297 participants from an AmazonTurk survey, engaging with virtual public speaking scenarios differentiated by audience size, engagement levels, and room spatial dimensions. Participants' anticipated anxiety levels were quantitatively assessed across these scenarios, enabling a comprehensive exploration of the interaction between situational variables and PSA, thereby providing a framework to explore the influence of audience size, engagement, and spatial dimensions on PSA. ResultsThe mixed-effect model revealed a significant interaction among audience size, audience engagement, and room spatial dimensions. Further analyses using principal axis factoring and multiple regression identified three main factors: F1 (Engagement in a Large Audience), F2 (Confinement or Evaluation Anxiety), and F3 (Audience Disengagement). These factors significantly predict PSA scores. ConclusionsThis study reveals that PSA is influenced by a complex interplay of audience size, room dimensions, and audience engagement. The finding underscores the viable way to incorporate these situational variables in both empirical investigations and therapeutic interventions. Specifically, it introduces a novel framework for standardising audience size relative to room capacity.

The Post-Pandemic Reflection on Students’ Speaking Anxiety: A Case in Higher Education

This research aims to find out students' perspectives and reflection regarding speaking skills in higher education. This research was conducted by involving 33 students from the batch of 2020 and 2021 in one of private universities in Batam. A case study design was employed by applying questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to collect the data. This research found that there were three categories which were the factors contributing to students' speaking anxiety in post-pandemic era. Those factors were communication apprehension, fear of negative evaluation, and test anxiety. In addition, to overcome their speaking anxiety, they used the methods of self-communication, self-healing, restarting the speech, and switching the language, while also learning and practicing in their effort to overcome their speaking anxiety. It is crucial to note that environment is also one of factors that affects students’ motivation in speaking skills. Hence, the lecturers hopefully can choose appropriate strategies to enhance students’ speaking skills, manage classroom environment well, and give positive reinforcement to students.

STUDYING ENGLISH SPEAKING ANXIETY AMONG MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS OF BAMYAN UNIVERSITY

Anxiety is the condition in which an individual feels unpleasant and it imbeds tension, apprehension, and worries. Speaking anxiety is a type of anxiety that affects the process of speaking or oral performance. Regarding speaking, numerous studies have been conducted to find some anxiety-provoking factors. Afghanistan is a country where English is taught as a foreign language. Similar to other ESL/EFL contexts, Afghanistan EFL learners face various challenges such as being worried, losing self-confidence, communication apprehension, fear of being evaluated by others, etc when they speak in English. The purposes of this study are to find out the speaking anxiety-provoking factors and the differences between male and female speaking anxiety levels. Horwitz, Horwitz and Cope (1986) FLCAS (Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale) and interview questions are used for data collection. The respondents of the study are 15 male and 15 female students who are randomly selected at Bamyan University, Afghanistan. Besides, 4 male and 4 female students were interviewed. As a result, the study found some speaking anxiety factors such as fear of negative evaluation, lack of linguistics capacity, communication apprehension, lack of preparation and some other factors. This study also highlighted that female students have more speaking anxiety than male students at Bamyan University in Afghanistan.

Desensitizing Anxiety Through Imperceptible Change: Feasibility Study on a Paradigm for Single-Session Exposure Therapy for Fear of Public Speaking.

Exposure therapy (ET) for anxiety disorders involves introducing the participant to an anxiety-provoking situation over several treatment sessions. Each time, the participant is exposed to a higher anxiety-provoking stimulus; for example, in the case of fear of heights, the participant would successively experience being at a greater height. ET is effective, and its counterpart, virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy (VRET), where VR substitutes real-world exposure, is equally so. However, ET is time-consuming, requiring several sessions. This study aimed to compare the results of single-session exposure with those of traditional VRET with regard to reducing public speaking anxiety. We introduced a paradigm concerned with public speaking anxiety where the VR exposure occurred in a single session while the participant interacted with a virtual therapist. Over time, the therapist transformed into an entire audience with almost imperceptible changes. We carried out a feasibility study with 45 participants, comparing 3 conditions: single-session exposure (n=16, 36%); conventional multiple-session exposure (n=14, 31%), where the same content was delivered in successive segments over 5 sessions; and a control group (n=15, 33%), who interacted with a single virtual character to talk about everyday matters. A week later, the participants were required to speak on a stage in front of a large audience in VR. Across most of the series of conventional public speaking anxiety measures, the single-session exposure was at least as effective in reducing anxiety as the multiple-session exposure, and both these conditions were better than the control condition. The 12-item Personal Report of Confidence as a Speaker was used to measure public speaking anxiety levels, where higher values indicated more anxiety. Using a Bayesian model, the posterior probabilities of improvement compared to a high baseline were at least 1.7 times greater for single- and multiple-session exposures compared to the control group. The State Perceived Index of Competence was used as a measure of anticipatory anxiety for speaking on a stage in front of a large audience, where lower values indicated higher anxiety. The probabilities of improvement were just over 4 times greater for single- and multiple-session exposures compared to the control group for a low baseline and 489 (single) and 53 (multiple) times greater for a middle baseline. Overall, the results of this feasibility study show that for moderate public speaking anxiety, the paradigm of gradual change in a single session is worth following up with further studies with more severe levels of anxiety and a larger sample size, first with a randomized controlled trial with nonpatients and subsequently, if the outcomes follow those that we have found, with a full clinical trial with patients.

Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety among Chinese Students

Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety among Chinese Students

The effect of games on listening and speaking anxiety in learning English

This action research investigates the effect of game technique on reducing English listening and speaking anxiety among fourth-grade primary school students. The study group involved 46 students at a Science and Art Centre in Türkiye. The quantitative data were collected through the English Listening Anxiety Scale and the English Speaking Anxiety Scale administered before and after the implementation. The qualitative data were gathered through student interviews and teacher’s research diary. The dependent samples t-test was used to compare the pre-test and post-test mean scores from the scales. The data from the interviews and the diary were analysed by inductive analysis. Firstly, the findings of the t-test analysis revealed that game technique significantly reduced students’ English listening anxiety, but not English speaking anxiety. On the other hand, the qualitative findings showed that this technique has positive contributions to learning-teaching process although it does not have such an effect on both speaking and listening anxiety. Nevertheless, the analysis of the interviews and the diary also indicated that the technique has a positive influence on the factors that can reduce anxiety such as “willingness to make sentences, not getting bored in lessons, feeling relaxed, thinking quickly, eagerness, and effort”. Considering all the findings in the study, we concluded that using game technique in English courses is not directly effective in reducing English listening and speaking anxiety, but it has positive contributions to the overall learning-teaching process. Finally, the study provides some practical suggestions for teachers.

Examining Foreign Language Learners’ Speaking Anxiety: The Case of English L2 Learners

Examining speaking anxiety in learners of foreign languages is important not only for the learners but also for teachers and curriculum designers. The study aimed to examine foreign language learners’ speaking anxiety in 100 M.A. students at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia. The survey was directed to M.A. students. The study used the PSCAS. The findings demonstrated that a variety of factors, including a limited vocabulary, pronunciation difficulties, social pressure, a lack of confidence, and negative past experiences, might contribute to speaking anxiety. Together, these components create a complex web of worry that keeps students from being open to vocal communication. However, the study also discovered several practical strategies that M.A. candidates could employ to boost their speaking confidence and lessen their speaking anxiety. These strategies included role-playing games, conversations in small groups, the use of technology, group projects involving collaborative speaking, regular constructive criticism, availability of interactive language labs, practical language application, progressively more difficult assignments, cultural immersion programs, and workshops on public speaking. By using these strategies, students can establish a supportive learning environment that promotes language proficiency and confidence. Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations were proposed, such as integration of supportive learning environments, utilization of technology, implementation of practical language application, training in public speaking, gradual complexity in assignments, and promotion of positive thinking.

The Influence of Speaking Self-Efficacy and Emotional Intelligence to Foreign Language Anxiety Among Filipino College Students

This study is concerned with the relationships between foreign language speaking anxiety and demographic factors among college-level students. The study attempted to predict the roles of speaking self-efficacy and emotional intelligence on foreign language speaking anxiety among 150 (Male = 78; Female = 72) Filipino college students. The data were collected using established scales; the Speaking Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (Asakareh and Dehghannezhad, 2015), Assessing Emotions Scale or Emotional Intelligence Scale (Salovey and Mayer, 1990), and the Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety Scale (Öztürk and Gürbüz, 2014) based on Hortwitz et al. (1986). The results revealed that most Filipino college students suffered from a high level of FLSA (f = 62; % = 41.33) and males were more anxious than females when it comes to speaking a foreign language. It was also stated that foreign language speaking anxiety was negatively correlated with the two variables; speaking self-efficacy and emotional intelligence but they are not a good fit for each other. Hence, this suggests that there might be other predictors that can influence FLSA.

Instruments measuring motivation to learn Arabic as a second language: evidence of validity and reliability

As studies of second language (L2) learning and motivation typically focus on English as a foreign language (EFL), L2 motivation for Arabic has been less studied. Instruments measuring two sources of L2 Arabic motivation, identity-related motivation, and motivation arising from the L2 learning environment (L2LE), were developed and piloted among L2 Arabic learners. Pilot study results showed strong motivation due to Islamic identity and desire for cultural exposure, but also revealed speaking anxiety in the L2LE. In this study, the objectives were to determine: a) What evidence exists for or against the validity of the subscale measurements from these instruments? and b) how this evidence can be used to explain what appear to be contradictions in the pilot study results. In this mixed-methods study, instruments were administered twice to learners at an L2 Arabic learning institute in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and a sample was interviewed. Quantitative analysis showed evidence of instrument reliability, and analysis of interview data revealed several findings. First, consistent with pilot data, we found that learners, who were all Muslim, were motivated to learn L2 Arabic as part of desiring cultural and social exposure in KSA and to become closer to Islam. Interview data revealed that these learners aimed to adopt the customs and lifestyle of those in KSA as part of becoming closer to Islam, some of which they did through social interaction. Second, L2 Arabic learning of Classical Arabic (CA) at the institute was impeded by the learners’ lack of knowledge of the conversational Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) dialect, which made practical communication with those in KSA difficult. Recommendations are made for instrument improvement, as well as a strategy to incorporate some MSA instruction into the CA curriculum.

Investigating the effects of speaking tasks in clubhouse on EFL learners’ speaking and foreign language speaking anxiety

This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of speaking tasks on EFL learners’ speaking skills and Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety (FLSA) using a mobile application conducted outside the classroom. A total of sixty Iranian upper-intermediate level EFL students were divided into experimental and control groups to compare the effectiveness of speaking tasks using the Clubhouse application. Data were collected using the FLSA scale and the speaking pre-and post-test scores of the participants. The speaking proficiency of the participants was assessed based on the IELTS band descriptor, which included fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Utilizing one-way ANCOVA and Mann-Whitney U test, it was concluded that participation of the experimental group in speaking tasks at the Clubhouse improved their speaking proficiency and reduced their anxiety when speaking in the target language compared to traditional classes. The findings of the study call for the integration of synchronous mobile-based apps such as Clubhouse for out-of-class speaking tasks to improve EFL learners’ speaking skills and reduce their FLSA levels.

Biomarkers of attention bias during public speaking anxiety

The analysis of brain signals and their properties yields significant insights into the fundamental neural impairments associated with attention bias in individuals suffering from public speaking anxiety (PSA). This study aims to identify electroencephalogram (EEG) and performance biomarkers of attention bias in individuals with public speaking anxiety using the ex-Gaussian modeling technique, frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) and delta-beta correlation (DBC). 12 subjects with high (H) PSA and 12 subjects with low (L) PSA performed the modified emotional stroop task. EEG data were captured using the low-cost 14-channel emotiv Epoc+. Results showed that the ex-Gaussian sigma was higher in the emotional condition in the high public speaking anxiety (HPSA) group, indicating attention bias. The study also found higher right FAA in HPSA compared to LPSA group. There was a negative correlation between σ and alpha power in the left region of the brain in the HPSA group, potentially related to attentional bias. Moreover, there was a notable trend towards significantly heightened DBC in the frontal and central regions of the brain among HPSA subjects. In conclusion, in biomedical engineering, the ex-Gaussian model, FAA and DBC are useful because they can identify EEG and performance biomarkers of attention bias in people with PSA.

Exploring Indonesian College Students' Levels and Factors of English Speaking Anxiety

This study was aimed to investigate the level of anxiety about speaking English among students in Indonesia and examines the contributing factors. Using a survey research design, this research integrates descriptive statistical analysis with additional interviews to enrich and supporting the data collected. The participants consisted of 60 fifth semester psychology students. Data collection involved the use of a Likert scale questionnaire to categorize responses. The results revealed a spectrum of speaking anxiety levels among students: the majority (53.33%) showed high levels of anxiety, 20% reported quite high levels of anxiety, 8.33% experienced moderate levels of anxiety, and 3.33% showed very low levels of anxiety. .Analysis of these findings shows a trend of high speaking anxiety among the participants. This anxiety is influenced by various factors, including lack of self-confidence, fear of being judged, grammatical inaccuracies, and an unsupportive environment. Key Words: English, Speaking anxiety

Demographic predictors of public speaking anxiety among university students

Public speaking is a crucial component of many higher education courses and is essential for students’ academic performance and future career success. Despite its importance, public speaking anxiety is a common issue among higher education students, adversely impacting their learning. Addressing this anxiety through targeted interventions, especially for the most at-risk students, is vital. This study provides insights into the demographic predictors of public speaking anxiety, using a sample of 1745 students from a large public university in the Czech Republic. We employed the Personal Report of Confidence as a Speaker in a short form to assess public speaking anxiety levels. Our multivariate regression analysis identified gender, type of high school, and study level as significant predictors of public speaking anxiety, whereas age, nationality, and field of study were not. The study found that women, non-binary individuals, graduates of academic high schools, and bachelor’s students are more prone to public speaking anxiety. These findings highlight the need for targeted intervention and support strategies for students with higher levels of public speaking anxiety.

Voices in peril: understanding English public speaking anxiety among university students in Bangladesh

Voices in peril: understanding English public speaking anxiety among university students in Bangladesh

Exploring the Phenomenon of Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety Among English Language Learners in Saudi Arabia

The study aimed to understand the anxiety experienced by Saudi English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. It aimed to determine if their preference for foreign language classes affects their anxiety levels and which specific anxiety features are most prevalent when speaking English? The study employed a quantitative research technique to evaluate the anxiety levels of EFL learners. The anxiety was measured using the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS), a widely used tool for assessing speaking anxiety that was established by Horwitz, Horwitz, and Cope in 1986. The scale consists of 33 items rated on a five-point Likert scale. However, nine out of the thirty-three items have been reverse-coded and then translated into Arabic. The data indicated that 73.43% of the participants had different degrees of anxiety while talking in English. Among them, 14.06% experienced a high level of anxiety, 39.06% had moderate anxiety, and 20.31% had low anxiety. The results revealed that preference or sensation towards the EFL had no impact. Studies reveal that anxiety is a prominent concern in EFL programs, with a significant number of students experiencing challenges related to speaking anxiety.

Overcoming Fear and Improving Public Speaking Skills through Adaptive VR Training

This paper examines the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in training public speaking skills. The fear of public speaking (FPS) is a common problem that can have a significant impact on an individual’s professional and personal life. Traditional therapies for public speaking anxiety have been shown to be effective, but there is growing interest in the use of VR as an alternative or supplement to these therapies. This study aims to investigate the VR medium in improving public speaking skills and to explore the potential mechanisms underlying this effect. A framework was developed with the aim to investigate the possibility of improving public speaking skills through VR. Key features of this framework include the ability to adjust the audience size and alter the dimensions of the room. Additionally, it allows for the modification of initial audience behaviors. One of the innovative aspects is the inclusion of an evolving attention span in the virtual audience, adding a dynamic element to the VR experience. The framework excels in tracking various metrics in real time and has the audience react dynamically based on them. These metrics include movement and voice parameters. The system is designed to present this data as immediate feedback to the user, but also as a summary after a presentation has concluded. After an extensive two-phased testing, the results are discussed. These findings suggest that VR can be an effective means for improving public speaking skills and potentially helping in alleviating fear of public speaking.

A Study of Coping Strategies for Overseas Students Speaking Anxiety in Cross-Cultural Contexts

This study aims to explore the problem of speaking anxiety faced by overseas students in cross-cultural context and their coping strategies. By using questionnaires and in-depth interviews, the phenomenon of speaking anxiety and its countermeasures were studied in 200 international students. The results show that international students speaking anxiety mainly stems from the lack of confidence in language ability, the fear of failure, and the differences with the native culture. Coping strategies include active participation in language practice, seeking social and psychological support, and developing intercultural adaptability. This study not only reveals the complexity of speaking anxiety in intercultural communication, but also provides educators and international students with targeted strategies to reduce speaking anxiety and promote language learning.

Empowering English Language Learners: Mitigating Speaking Anxiety through Team Assisted Individualization (TAI) Model in the EFL Junior Highschool Context

This study investigated the efficacy of the Team-Assisted Individualization (TAI) model in reducing speaking anxiety among ninth-grade students at SMPN 30 Makassar. The research utilized a pre-experimental design, collecting data through observations and Likert Scale questionnaires analysed descriptively. Initially, none of the 20 students experienced low levels of anxiety; however, post-treatment results showed a significant reduction in anxiety levels with no students reporting high or very high anxiety, and 80% reporting low anxiety. Significantly, the mean questionnaire score increased from 49.25 before the intervention to 82.10 afterwards, indicating a substantial decrease in anxiety. This outcome aligns with existing literature suggesting that lower anxiety levels facilitate better language performance. Observational data also reflected a decrease in student engagement from 89% in the first session to 57% in the fourth, suggesting varying levels of participation throughout the study. The TAI model's effectiveness in significantly lowering anxiety was confirmed through a t-test showing a significance level of 0.000, which is well below the conventional threshold of 0.05, thereby supporting the acceptance of the hypothesis that TAI reduces speaking anxiety. These findings underscore the potential of interactive and individualized teaching strategies in reducing language learning anxiety. The sustained engagement and active participation fostered by the TAI model suggest that such approaches can significantly enhance language learning environments by reducing anxiety and encouraging more active involvement from students.