The impact of public speaking anxiety and its effects on students is well documented. Authorities differ on the percentage of people who suffer from public speaking anxiety. In this article, I will explore the reasons for student anxiety when public speaking, and how these fears impact students’ careers and job prospects.
How many students suffer from public speaking anxiety?
We all feel some pressure when asked to speak in public. The technical term for public speaking anxiety is glossophobia. The National Institute of Mental Health researched this phobia. Their conclusion, 73% of the population suffers from speaking anxiety. A 2014 survey by Chapman University rated public speaking as the highest phobia. With over a quarter of students expressing fear.
Why do students suffer from the fear of speaking in public?
Our fear may be disproportionate. This is highlighted in Dwyer & Davidson 2012. Jerry Seinfeld observed that we put the fear of public speaking higher than that of death. So, we would rather be in the coffin than giving the eulogy. This brilliant observation shows us how disproportionate our fear is.
Disproportionate it may be, but the fear is quite understandable. The fear of failure or humiliation is not unreasonable. Our phobias often come from past experiences. Most of us will have felt that we spoke poorly in public sometime in our lives.
Students feel the pressure of addressing groups of people in public. This fear may interfere with their development and career progression. Even in the early years, we can see this fear. Some children fail to raise their hands in class. For some, this is laziness, but for others, it is a fear of being the centre of attention.
The pressure to conform and to perform is so great during those latter years of education. So, the fear of public speaking is ever-increasing.
What is the effect of avoiding speaking in public?
It is clear that public speaking anxiety and its effects on students is profound. As the child ages, this fear can have more lasting and devastating effects. Students may avoid the classes and career paths that are best for them because they will need to speak.
Employers rate public speaking and presentational skills as top requirements when recruiting. The damage this phobia can do is evident. This trend is likely to continue even in this more virtual world. Every company requires employees who can present well. Any form of selling, teaching, or advocating requires presenting and speaking to others.
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) found employees rate communication skills the highest. Leadership and management skills followed the need for communication skills.
One could argue good leadership and management need public speaking. Leadership is impossible without the ability to speak in public. At least to your team, large or small. Technical skills were also on the list. These soft skills show that knowledge of your subject does not guarantee a promotion.
There are, of course, many professions that need extensive public speaking. Members of the legal profession, teachers, and politicians are but a few examples. A child with a phobia of speaking may avoid these vocations even if they have an aptitude for them.
Psychological Studies on public speaking anxiety and its effects on students
Reyhan Gufriyansyah and Maya Khairani published work on this subject. They called it “An Experiment of Public Speaking Anxiety on College Students“. In this comprehensive experiment, they found that.
“the students who spoke in front of the listeners with higher educational level were more anxious than those who spoke in front of the listeners with lower educational level.”
Those with more significant experience and knowledge assess students. So, it is not hard to see how anxiety manifests itself. Many studies show the pressure students feel to perform. Student learning comes at an impressionable age. The student reacts to success and failure with equal passion. It is hardly surprising that this anxiety is prevalent among the young.
How to overcome the fear
There are other articles on this website about the fear of public speaking and how to overcome it. I go into much greater detail in these articles. I show tactics and lessons to overcome this understandable fear.
Tutors must address public speaking anxiety and its effects on students. They should encourage students to talk in front of peers and teachers. The more they practice, the more likely they will overcome this fear. But, if done poorly, the student’s anxiety may increase rather than decrease.
There is a need to adhere to the basic principles of good speaking. Positive feedback is necessary for preparation and interest in the subject. These are essential to overcome this phobia.
Anyone can learn the valuable and necessary skill of public speaking. Speaking requires practice. Speaking may be natural but speaking in public is not.
When professionals are confronted with public speaking anxiety and its effects on students they must take heed. The lecturer or tutor needs to watch all their pupils. Treat each student as an individual. Some will require little or no help when addressing their peers. Others will have significant anxiety.
Some students will show outstanding ability at the beginning. These may not be the same students that shine in the end. Practice and encouragement will go a long way to improving those who need help.
Conclusion
Public speaking anxiety and its effects on students is a profound and vital consideration. All those who teach should be aware of it. We all have some fear of failure or humiliation. So, the fear of public speaking is understandable.
Those who teach must be aware of this. The tutor must not put undue pressure on their students. Remember the work of Gufriyansyah and Khairani. Speaking in front of those with intellect creates the greatest fear. Those who teach should be aware that unintentional intimidation is a real threat.
Tim Shoesmith is a speaker and performer who lectures and teaches on the art of public speaking. You can learn more about his past and present activities by going to his about page.