Communication apprehension and the basic public speaking course: A national survey of in‐class treatment techniques

Abstract

For many instructors of the basic public speaking course deciding when and how to treat students with communication apprehension (CA) is a problem they must deal with each semester. A national survey was conducted to determine what methods instructors of the basic public speaking course are using to treat CA. The results indicated that instructors are treating apprehensive students during their regular class time by concentrating on a skills training approach to teach the necessary speaking skills, by creating a supportive and positive classroom environment, by recognizing students' CA as normal, and by teaching techniques that help students handle feelings of apprehension.

Keywords:

• communication apprehension
• public speaking
• teaching
• treatment techniques