Author(s)

Heng Zhang ¹, Lee Huan Yik ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ University Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, 81300, Malaysia

Corresponding Author

Heng Zhang

ABSTRACT

This study investigates speech anxiety among 21 Chinese postgraduate students at University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), focusing on public speaking challenges due to language barriers. The primary goal is to identify anxiety sources in academic settings and assess their impact on student performance. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combined quantitative data from Likert scale questionnaires with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. The research indicated that students' excessive pursuit of pronunciation and standardized English not only failed to enhance their linguistic expression but also exacerbated their speech anxiety. The study found that this heightened anxiety primarily arises from a gap between the students' expectations of their language proficiency and their actual performance during presentations. Behaviors indicative of this anxiety included trembling hands, stuttering, excessive use of filler words, inconsistent eye contact, and a heavy reliance on scripts. Based on these findings, we propose solutions to reduce students' anxiety in academic presentations and improve their performance and confidence. This issue underscores the necessity for supportive educational environments, recommending educators to implement targeted interventions to bolster students’ confidence and alleviate their anxiety. Second, educators should assist students in setting gradual goals and encourage the use of process-oriented learning to help them build confidence. Lastly, educators can teach students anxiety coping methods, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques, to help them maintain a positive emotional state during presentations.

KEYWORDS

Anxiety Performance; Anxiety Causes; Academic Presentation; Self-efficacy

CITE THIS PAPER

Heng Zhang, Lee Huan Yik, Exploring the Causes, Performance, and Solutions of Academic Presentation Anxiety among Chinese International Students. Adult and Higher Education (2024) Vol. 6: 68-79. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/aduhe.2024.060811.

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