The Use of Diaphragmatic Breathing in Alleviating Thai Students’ Public Speaking Anxiety

Abstract

Public speaking anxiety (PSA) is a significant barrier to effective oral communication, particularly for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students. Despite the growing importance of speaking skills in today’s globalized world, many Thai EFL learners struggle with PSA, hindering their speaking performance. Traditional PSA interventions, such as systematic desensitization and cognitive restructuring, are well-documented but are often too time-consuming for integration into regular classroom activities. This study investigates the effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing (DB) as a time-efficient intervention to reduce PSA and improve oral performance among Thai undergraduate students. An experimental design was used with 38 students, stratified by PSA levels, who were assigned to either an experimental group (DB intervention) or a control group. DB exercises were conducted before oral tasks to alleviate anxiety. PSA levels were measured post-intervention using the Public Speaking Anxiety Scale (PSAS). Key findings include: (1) high PSA levels among participants, (2) a negative correlation between PSA and oral performance scores, and (3) a significant reduction in PSA in the experimental group compared to the control group. The results suggest that DB is an effective strategy for reducing PSA, offering immediate relief through a simple, five-minute exercise. Its practicality and time efficiency make it an ideal technique for enhancing speaking skills in EFL contexts.