FROM STAGE FRIGHT TO SPOTLIGHT: THE EVALUATION OF PUBLIC SPEAKING COURSE THROUGH ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDENTS’ ORATORY PERFORMANCE (A CASE OF GEORGIAN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION)

Abstract

Public speaking skill might not be a new concept for most of the societies around the world, as history keeps many instances of public orators and prominent figures who are recognized for their natural talent to address audiences in a confident and compelling manner. However, not everyone is capable of doing so without proper preparation and sufficient practice. This paper aims to prove that despite the fact that fear of  public speaking is acknowledged to be one of the most widespread fears around the world, it is just a matter of hard work, correct guidance and realizing the need of it in one’s personal as well as in professional life. The paper discusses the positive impact of public speaking course introduced in one of the Georgian higher educational institutions. A one-semester academic course in public speaking was designed to explain the fundamentals of public speaking, specifically tailored to Georgian students learning English as a foreign language. The research, which was conducted to measure students’ public speaking skills, demonstrated  significant development. The questionnaire, which included mostly open-ended questions,  asked students to evaluate the course.

Both measurement tools made it obvious that the course helped students to become more confident and most importantly overcome the stage fright as well as get deep knowledge about public speaking,  learn speech delivery  techniques, control verbal as well as body language. So, the students who once experienced stage fright can now be regarded as quite competent public speakers due to the skills they acquired throughout the public speaking course, as evaluated  from their own perspective.

Keywords: Public speaking, Stage fright, Higher education, Measurement tools, English as a foreign language, Public speaking skill development