Investigating UNP Students’ Perception of the Effectiveness of the Toastmasters Activities in Improving their Public Speaking Skills

Abstract

Public speaking involves delivering a message to the audience within a set time range to communicate and persuade effectively. It is an essential skill to be mastered about. This research used quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate non-English students' perceptions of the effectiveness of the Toastmasters' activities in improving their public speaking skills. The research participants were 25 non-English major students in the Toastmasters division at UKBA of UNP. Three of them participated in the semi-structured interviews. Two instruments were used: a close-ended questionnaire with yes-no options and semi-structured interviews. The total score from the questionnaire was 518 out of a maximum of 600 obtained by the 25 participants, with an impressive average percentage of 86.33%. Considering the high percentage, it appears that most students realize how important Toastmasters' activities are for improving their public speaking skills. Furthermore, the semi-structured interviews indicated that students stated that Toastmasters is a valuable resource for individuals seeking to enhance their English language proficiency and develop their public speaking skills. The members reported increased confidence, overcoming nervousness, and delivering more effective speeches. Overall, the students have a positive perception of the effectiveness of the Toastmasters activities in improving their public speaking skills.