Students’ oral presentation: personality traits, difficulties, and speaking proficiency

This study was an investigation of students’ oral presentation with regard to their personality traits and difficulties and how these variables relate to their speaking proficiency. Descriptive research method was used wherein the first set of respondents composed of 40 graduating Bachelor of Arts in English Language (AB-EL) students answered a questionnaire on personality traits in conducting oral presentation and a speaking proficiency test. Results showed that personality traits affect moderately the performance of the students when it comes to oral presentation. Also, the respondents fall under “competent users” in their speaking proficiency. Findings further revealed that personality traits really affect the respondents’ capability to present well in front of the audience, and that there is a significant relationship between the respondents’ personality traits when they do oral presentations and their speaking proficiency. Also, the direction of the relationship is positive which means that the variables increase together. The second set of respondents composed of 40 First Year Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies (ABELS) students were made to answer a questionnaire on oral presentation difficulties and a speaking proficiency test. Results revealed that majority of the respondents are generally “moderate” in having difficulties in conducting oral presentation and were “competent users” of the English language. However, the study further showed that the oral presentation difficulties are statistically not related to the speaking proficiency of the respondents. This research suggests that students engage themselves more in oral activities and exercises to train themselves to enhance their confidence when it comes to oral presentation. Moreover, this study recommends that students build a strong rapport and friendly relationship among themselves and their mentors to make the classroom environment more relaxing and conducive to learning.