Date of Award

6-2002

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Communication

First Advisor

Dr. Leigh A. Ford

Second Advisor

Dr. Kathleen M. Propp

Third Advisor

Dr. Maria K. Lapinski

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

This study examined English language related competence factors that contribute to East Asian students' (EAS) oral participation levels in American university classrooms. Specifically, this study posited that EAS' self-perceived English communicative competence, English speaking anxiety, and fear of negative evaluation affect their level of oral participation. The results of the statistical analyses supported the hypothesized relationships, indicating (a) EAS' self-perceived English communicative competence correlates positively with their level of oral participation, (b) EAS' reported level of English speaking anxiety correlates negatively with their level of oral participation, and (c) EAS' level of fear of negative evaluation correlates negatively with their level of oral participation. Further analyses were also conducted to determine the effects of EAS' cultural orientation and sex differences on their level of oral participation. The implications of the results of this research were discussed and suggestions for future research were provided.

Included in

Communication Commons

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