Abstract:

The paper considers the results of the research aimed at repelling public speaking anxiety in university students through the computer-mediated learning via Zoom. Online classes conducted in a comfortable home environment ensure the successful development of communication skills. Recognizing their own emotions on Zoom screen individuals are able to take control of the emotions that enhance their emotional intelligence levels that brings them to repel public speaking anxiety, thus allowing them to consequently hone their soft skills.

The subject matter of the research is a questionnaire database filled in by the 2nd- and 3d-year students of Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Moscow, Russia, to identify how online classes via Zoom decrease the anxiety level and promote comfortable learning environment.

The objective of the research is to identify how computer-mediated classes via Zoom decrease the anxiety level in students and contribute to developing their soft skills.

The methods applied are a questionnaire, sampling, content analysis, and categorisation.

The sample included international affairs university students who are learning online via Zoom. The online questionnaire to identify the public speaking skills via Zoom was virtually disseminated to the students in order to draw insights from the anxiety effect on the education process and eventually creating comfortable computer-mediated learning environment.

The findings of this research point out at the repelled anxiety rates in university students that impact on their successful public speaking skills and effective communication during online classes.

The paper summarizes the results of the study that can be widely applicable in psychological studies, self-directed learning, online-education.

Keywords:

Public speaking skills, soft skills, computer-mediated learning, Zoom video communications, online education, emotional intelligence.