VietTESOL International Convention 2025

Many English-language learners often unavoidably suffer from anxiety while performing speaking activities, particularly in giving an oral presentation, owing to a variety of factors. This study aims to examine the relationship between EFL learners’ five basic personality tendencies (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness to Experience) and their speaking anxiety experienced by UFLS English-majored second-year students, and it also proposes some possible solutions for individuals to overcome their anxiety. To achieve these targets, 124 sophomores majoring in English were invited to complete a questionnaire about their personality types and feelings during oral presentations. The data was collected quantitatively and analyzed using the Microsoft Office Excel program with Real Statistics add-ins to determine the internal consistency and correlations between personality traits and anxiety levels. The results revealed clear patterns: Extraversion exhibited a strong negative correlation with speaking anxiety, indicating that extraverted students are more confident and less anxious during oral tasks. In contrast, Neuroticism was positively associated with higher anxiety levels, with learners frequently experiencing physical tensions, fear of judgment, and underperformance. The remaining traits, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness, showed moderate relationships with speaking anxiety. Based on these findings, the study suggests tailored strategies to reduce speaking anxiety for each personality type. The research highlights the importance of integrating personality-aware methods in EFL teaching to create a supportive environment and improve students’ oral performance and confidence.

Keywords: personality tendency, anxiety, speaking, oral presentations