PRESENTATION ANXIETY IN ENGLISH: SOURCES AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG VIETNAMESE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Tóm tắt

This study investigated why Vietnamese university students feel anxious when presenting in English and how they try to manage that anxiety. The research surveyed 100 students from three faculties, asking both closed-ended and open-ended questions to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The results showed that having to present in front of a crowd, handle questions in the Q&A section, and use unfamiliar English vocabulary were the most stressful aspects. Common sources of anxiety included fear of making language-related mistakes, limited vocabulary, and lack of confidence in pronunciation, especially among English-majored students. To cope with anxiety, students reported repetitive practice, memorizing content, and using notes; however, they still found these strategies unsatisfying. As a result, students expressed a strong need for teacher support. In particular, they wanted a non-judgmental environment, clearer presentation instructions, and more opportunities to practice and receive feedback.