The Impact of Using body language on overcoming-*the fear of public speaking

Abstract

Public speaking is one paramount building blocks of verbal communication. However, it is deemed a challenging aspect in language learning as many English Foreign Language (EFL) learners experience feelings of fear and dread towards this aspect. On this account, researchers in the field have advocated the use of non-verbal behaviors as an integral part of public speech, especially with regard to body language. The current research aimed to investigate the impact of using body language on overcoming the fear of public speaking. Subsequently, it aimed at exploring the main forms of body language used to control feelings of nervousness. It is hypothesized that the correct use of body language helps the students relieve the fear of public speaking. The study opted for a quasi-experimental research design with one experimental group of ten advanced level students at the First Step Private School, wherein they were selected on the basis of convenience. Therefore, a questionnaire and a classroom observation were employed for data gathering. Accordingly, to measure the students’ levels of anxiety in the pre-test and post-test, they were requested to respond to the Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety (PRPSA) instrument designed by McCroskey (1970). However, in order to determine the pertinent forms of body language that the students have frequently used, a performance test was designed to the participants at the end of each session wherein they were required to deliver impromptu speeches, in return, they were directly observed with the use of a checklist. Based on the analysis of the results, the findings revealed that the use of body language has a positive impact on reducing the students’ fear of public speaking. Eye contact and gestures in particular are singled out as important body language forms to overcome the fear of public speaking. Given the findings of this study, it is suggested for EFL learners to use body language cues as a strategy to deliver compelling speeches.