Keywords
self-efficacy; public speaking; multilingual students; non-native English speakers; international students; higher education
Subject Categories
Cognition and Perception | Cognitive Psychology | Human Factors Psychology | Psychology
Abstract
This qualitative dissertation explores the sources of public speaking self-efficacy among non-native English-speaking international students enrolled in U.S. college public speaking courses. The study applies Bandura's social cognitive theory to examine how students describe the experiences that shape their confidence and perceived ability to succeed, with attention to mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and physiological and affective states. It also considers how classroom practices and instructor support contribute to or constrain students' confidence.
Data were collected through semi-structured student interviews, guided reflection artifacts connected to major speech assignments, and key-informant interviews with public speaking instructors. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns across the data.
Findings suggest that students' self-efficacy developed through preparation, repeated practice, feedback, peer observation, anxiety management, and successful performances interpreted as evidence of growing capability. Structured preparation, supportive feedback, relatable peer models, and classroom environments that normalized multilingual communication were especially important.
The study contributes to public speaking pedagogy, multilingual student research, and self-efficacy theory by showing how these sources of efficacy operate in U.S. college public speaking classrooms.
Completion Date
2026
Semester
Summer
Committee Chair
Ann Miller
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Strategic Communication PhD
Format
Document Type
Dissertation
Language
English
STARS Citation
Flores-Molina, Desiree M M, "Gaining Voice, Creating Opportunity: An Exploration of Non-Native English-Speaking Students’ Sources of Self-Efficacy in U.S. College Public Speaking Classrooms" (2026). Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026. 266.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/gradstudies_etd_2026/266
Included in
Cognition and Perception Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Human Factors Psychology Commons
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