Mentoring at-risk middle school students to reduce communication apprehension |
| |
| Authors: | Kevin T Jones Claire H Procopio |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Communication, Journalism, and Cinematic Arts, George Fox University, Newberg, OR, USAkevinj@georgefox.edu;3. Department of Languages and Communication, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | Research has demonstrated the efficacy of mentoring at-risk students in a number of fields from physical education to math and science. While separate research has found that many at-risk students lack effective communication skills, little research has explored the potential of communication mentoring in improving at-risk students’ communication efficacy. In our study, we examined the effectiveness of communication majors in a senior capstone course mentoring at-risk middle school students. Mentors were assigned a protégé and were required to design a curriculum targeting specific communication apprehension concerns identified in each student and implement the curriculum over a 10-week period. Analysis of self-reported communication apprehension scores showed at-risk students prior to mentoring reported higher than average levels of communication apprehension. After mentoring, they reported statistically significantly lower levels of communication apprehension. The implications for mentoring, at-risk students, and improved middle school communication education are considered. |
| |
| Keywords: | Mentoring middle school students at-risk students communication apprehension communication competence |
|
|
