An Investigation into the Communication Needs and Concerns of Asian Students in Speech Communication Performance Classes

Authors

Ester Yook, St. Cloud State University
William J. Seiler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Section Name

1989 Basic Course Committee Award Winning Papers

Abstract

The University of Nebraska is one of the many institutions of higher education in the United States with a growing foreign student enrollment. Consequently, the numbers of foreign students enrolled in speech communication classes has been increasing. There, however, is currently a lack of systematic investigation into the needs and concerns of foreign students in speech performance classes. This study investigates the needs and concerns of Asian students in speech performance classes.

The study uses three methods to determine the needs of Asian students: (1) participant observation, (2) survey and (3) focus group interviews. The findings show that Asian students are extremely anxious about speaking in public. Their anxiety it appears stems from two sources: (1) an insecurity about their linguistic fluency and (2) their instructor's expectations of them. Guidelines are suggested for instructors of Asian students.

Recommended Citation

Yook, Ester and Seiler, William J. (1990) "An Investigation into the Communication Needs and Concerns of Asian Students in Speech Communication Performance Classes," Basic Communication Course Annual: Vol. 2, Article 8.
Available at: https://ecommons.udayton.edu/bcca/vol2/iss1/8