Effects of Speaking Anxiety among Major in English First Year and Second Year Students in Gordon College

Apolonio, Pauline Jane M.
Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English, Gordon College, Olongapo City, Philippines paulinejanemangilitapolonio@gmail.com
Barbero, Raizah P.
Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English, Gordon College, Olongapo City, Philippines
raizahbarbero@gmail.com
Garcia, Jiellen Mei C.
Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English, Gordon College, Olongapo City, Philippines jiellenmeicavestanygarcia@gmail.com
Mobo, Catherine
English Program Coordinator,
College of Education, Arts and Sciences, Gordon College, Olongapo City, Philippines mobo.catherine@gordoncollege.edu.ph

Abstract: Speaking anxiety is a form of social anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of public speaking, nervousness around others, fear of judgment, and self-consciousness in front of large groups. This study aims to understand why first and second-year college students majoring in English experience speaking anxiety. It utilizes a descriptive research design, examining academic performance, communication, fear of negative evaluation, and low self-confidence. A questionnaire was used to gather data from 100 College of Education, Arts, and Sciences students at Gordon College. The findings, analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences version 26, indicate no significant relationship between respondent profiles and dimensions. However, a moderate positive correlation exists between communication apprehension, fear of negative evaluation, and low self-confidence. Additionally, fear of negative evaluation strongly correlates with low self-confidence. In conclusion, female English majors dominate the survey, and speaking anxiety is prevalent when speaking English unprepared, giving oral presentations, facing unexpected questions, and using correct grammar. Collaboration between educational institutions and organizations is crucial to address speaking anxiety and providing effective solutions for tertiary students.

Keywords: Speaking anxiety, fear, negative evaluation, students, low self-confidence