Assessment of Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA): A Study Based on the Second Year Law Undergraduates in Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Eliminating the apprehension of public speaking is vital for law undergraduates to perform well as future attorneys and other legal professionals. A descriptive cross-sectional study assessed Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA) among all the (n=140) second-year law undergraduates who followed the compulsory Public Speaking module in KDU, Sri-Lanka. A pre-tested, selfadministered questionnaire followed by the Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety (PRPSA) scale developed by McCroskey was used for data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and one-way ANOVA in SPSS 23.0. All the participants had a 'low' level of PSA. The majority (90.9%: n=100) had the previous experience of performing in front of an audience, and 60% (n=66) were involved in extra-curricular activities related to public speaking. However, the majority (75.5%: n=83) had not followed any course related to public speaking. The mean of the PRPSA score of the students who had participated in extra-curricular activities related to public speaking was significantly different from that of the ones who had not (P=0.030). Tukey post hoc test on a one-way ANOVA revealed that the students who had participated in debating had a significant mean difference in PRPSA score with the students who had taken part in Toastmasters (P=0.000) and with those who had not participated in any activity related to public speaking (P=0.000). Previous exposure and having a compulsory course module on public speaking were identified as the critical elements in reducing the PSA among the law undergraduates. It would lead to the transformation of self-confidence and ultimately, a positive transformation in their professionalism and personality.