A structured approach to developing the public speaking skill of Saudi nursing students

Abstract

The study was inspired by the need to help the female Saudi nursing students become effective contributors to the health taskforce and get them ready for their future role in the community. The aim is achieved through training them on delivering a speech and increasing their language proficiency in English.A quasi-experimental, three-phase design was used. A placement test then a survey was done to collect background information from the participants: experience with public speaking and language level. The Tiebreaking Judge's Guide and Ballot (TJGB) from the Toastmasters International (TI) (2011) were used on three different occasions to measure the public speaking skill of the subjects-content, language and delivery. Data was collected over a period of two months. Sampling was from 70 female Saudi nursing students in KSA. Using descriptive statistics and ANOVA, there was considerable improvement in language output, content and delivery as evidenced in the results of the mid-test and posttest vs. the pre-test. The students overcame their fear of speaking publicly to a mixed audience and their language improved significantly. The study highly recommends the university curriculum designers to incorporate training on public speaking in all university departments and to bring awareness of its importance.