Exploring Communication Anxiety and Apprehension

“This book offers a bold rethinking of communication anxiety and apprehension. It fuses current research with compelling real-world examples that will empower educators and students alike. Readers will find actionable guidance for navigating common barriers to confident, effective communication.”

Pat Gehrke, University of South Carolina, USA

“As a university public speaking instructor with decades of experience, I have watched student confidence steadily decline in the face of growing communication anxiety. This book offers a rich blend of stories, research, and practical strategies that meet learners where they are, without trying to “fix” them. It encourages understanding, empowerment, and advocacy through inclusive and authentic perspectives that reflect the complexity of human communication. A valuable guide for educators, students, and anyone seeking deeper insight into how anxiety and apprehension shape our interactions.”

Dawn Pfeifer Reitz, Pennsylvania State University – Berks, USA

“As a teacher-scholar devoted to amplifying student voices and advancing evidence-based research on communication apprehension, I applaud this book’s depth and breadth. Its embrace of diverse perspectives and reframing toward communication competency enriches the scholarly conversation, empowering classrooms and communities through multiple coexisting frameworks.”

Karla M. Hunter, South Dakota State University, USA

Dakota Horn is the Director of the Oral Communication Program and the Presentation Assistance Center at Bradley University, USA. He is a co-founder of the Communication Anxiety and Apprehension division of the National Communication Association and the author of Principles of Public Speaking, 21st edition (Routledge, 2024).

Suzy Prentiss is a Lecturer in Communication at the University of Central Florida, USA. She is a co-founder of the Communication Anxiety and Apprehension division of the National Communication Association.