The public speaking course: Is it preparing students with work related public speaking skills?

The purpose of this study was to compare the nature of the basic university public speaking course with the public speaking skills and delivery styles (e.g., extemporaneous, manuscript) used by college alumni. Public speaking faculty and alumni were surveyed and asked about their attitudes toward the importance of various public speaking skills and styles, as well as how often they taught or used the various skills/styles. Results of the survey indicate: (1) significant differences between the public speaking skills and delivery styles faculty and alumni thought important; (2) significant differences in the public speaking skills and delivery styles faculty taught and those used by college alumni in the workplace. We recommend that speech communication educators may want to consider these findings when developing university public speaking courses designed to prepare students with work related speaking skills.