INVESTIGATING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ DIFFICULTIES IN PUBLIC SPEAKING IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM A Study in the English Language Education Study Program Section Articles

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the key difficulties faced by university students in delivering
public speaking performances within an English Language Education study program. A
descriptive qualitative method was employed, involving classroom observations and
semi-structured interviews. The findings shows that the students struggle primarily with
limited vocabulary, inaccurate pronunciation, and insufficient speech organization.
Psychological factors such as anxiety, low confidence, and fear of negative evaluation also
significantly affect performance. In addition, many students demonstrate limited mastery of
delivery aspects, including eye contact, vocal clarity, and audience engagement. The study
concludes that students need more supportive learning environments and consistent speaking
practice. The results imply that lecturers should design activities that reduce anxiety,
strengthen language mastery, and encourage active participation. This can help improve
students’ overall public speaking competence.