THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC SPEAKING TO IMPROVE STUDENTS' COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE

Abstract

This study aims to examine the extent to which public speaking skills contribute to enhancing communication competence among students of the Primary School Teacher Education Program (PGMI). Communication competence is one of the core skills that prospective teachers must possess, particularly in delivering learning materials and interacting effectively with students and the school environment. This research employed a quantitative descriptive approach with a correlational method. The sample consisted of 120 PGMI students from the 4th and 6th semesters, selected using purposive sampling based on their participation in public speaking activities. Data were collected through questionnaires, observations, and documentation, and analyzed using Pearson correlation and simple linear regression tests.

The results showed that the majority of students demonstrated public speaking skills in the high and moderate categories. Their communication competence was generally good, indicated by their ability to express ideas, listen actively, and engage in logical arguments. The correlation test revealed a strong and significant positive relationship between public speaking skills and communication competence, with an r-value of 0.712 and a significance level of 0.000. Furthermore, regression analysis indicated that public speaking skills contributed 50.7% to students’ communication competence. These findings highlight the importance of developing public speaking skills in PGMI teacher education to support their success as communicators in educational settings.