Cross-Cultural Communication
Reducing Public Speaking Anxiety for Native and Non-Native English Speakers: The Value of Systematic Desensitization, Cognitive Restructuring, and Skills Training
Abstract
This brief report examined how, if at all, a one-hour public speaking anxiety training session that includes systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, and skills training, affects public speaking anxiety for native and non-native English speakers. The results indicate that public speaking anxiety decreased after the workshop for native and non-native English speakers. In particular, scores on the Communication Anxiety Inventory (CAI) Form Trait decreased for non-native English speakers, but did not change on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) A-State. Further, scores on the STAI A-State decreased for native English speakers, however scores on the CAI Form Trait did not change.
Key words: Public speaking anxiety; Non-native English speakers; Systematic desensitization; Cognitive restructuring; Skills training
Keywords
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/j.ccc.1923670020120805.2018
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