Glossophobia: The Fear Of Public Speaking In Female And Male Students Of University Of Karachi

Individuals who have fear speaking publically suffer from strong fear in social performance situations and social sphere. (Stein, Walker, & Forde, 1996).This research aims to investigate (a) if the level of anxiety is higher in females then males while speaking publically. (b) if students tend to be more anxious while speaking infront of opposite gender (c) if there is an association between reduction in public speaking fear in students and adaptation of effective psycho-physiological strategies for language learning. Samples of 126 undergraduate students have been selected in an equal ratio of male and female students from university of Karachi. Frequency and percentage analysis has been made to determine the level of public speaking fear in male and female students. A factorial ANOVA has been applied for comparative analysis of anxiety levels in males and females while presenting in front of the opposite gender. Further, a paired t-test has been applicable to determine if psychophysiological strategies for language learning are effective for reduction in glossophobia. The study affirmed that female students get more anxious then males while giving speech publically. It has also found that there is no effect of gender of audience on anxiety level of students during public speaking. Public speaking anxiety has a strong relationship with the adaptation of psycho-physiological strategies and can be reduced effectively.