Exploring Public Speaking Self-Efficacy in the 4-H Youth Development Program

• In Event: The Promise of Youth Feedback: Exploring Participation Outcomes in Diverse Out-of-School Time Program Settings

Abstract

Public speaking is an essential skill for youth and workforce development, which out-of-school time (OST) programs can play a role in. We conducted a study to explore young people’s public speaking self-efficacy and identification of program activities that helped them improve their public speaking self-efficacy. The study was conducted with 310 youth participating in the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program in 2020 and 2021. Quantitative and qualitative survey analyses revealed that 4-H members improve their public speaking self-efficacy the longer they are involved in 4-H, even when controlling for age. Additionally, 4-H youth practice and grow their public speaking skills predominately in 4-H club meetings and formal presentation days.

Authors

• Nicole Marshall-Wheeler, 4-H Youth Development
  Presenting Author

• Steven M. Worker, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources
  Presenting Author

• Yu Meng, University of California Cooperative Extension
  Presenting Author

• Roshan Nayak, University of California
  Presenting Author