English public speaking anxiety in a multicultural tire manufacturing company in Thailand

This study aimed to investigate the level of public speaking anxiety in English and to identify the contributing factors among employees working in a multicultural company in Thailand. A mixed-method was implemented by using both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Data were collected using a questionnaire adapted from Yaikhong and Usaha’s (2012) Public Speaking Classroom Anxiety Scale (PSCAS), which was administered to 47 participants. To collect qualitative data, the interviews with semi-structured data were conducted by the use of the random samplings to gain deeper insights of their experiences and perceptions of English-speaking anxiety in professional settings. The quantitative findings revealed that the most significant factor contributing to public speaking anxiety in English was Comfort in Speaking English, followed by Communication Apprehension, Test Anxiety and Fear of Negative Evaluation. The overall level of public speaking anxiety in English among the participants was found to be at a moderate level. Qualitative data further supported these findings and revealed an additional factor that was not captured in the questionnaire: the discrepancy between preparation and actual performance. This performance gap emerged as a source of anxiety, suggesting that despite adequate preparation, participants often experienced diminished confidence or increased pressure during real-life speaking situations. In conclusion, the study highlights the multifaceted nature of English public speaking anxiety in multicultural professional contexts. The results highlight the importance of workplace communication training. Practical implications include the need for targeted interventions that enhance employees' comfort and confidence in English communication, such as workplace language support programs, public speaking workshops, and strategies to bridge the gap between preparation and performance.