Fenomena Kekhuatiran Berkomunikasi Di Kalangan Pelajar Sarjana Universiti Utara Malaysia

Communication apprehension (CA) is one of the most studied area in the field of communication education. The PRCA-24 has prove to be a reliable instrument in measuring the level of CA. This instrument has been widely used in other cultures other than American culture from the language point of view. The purpose of this study is to determined whether there exist a differences in the levels of CA difference between gender, race and state of origin, when students communicate in their native language and English. The samples of the study was 182 graduate students enrolled in the May semester, 1998. Out of this, 114 were male students and 68 were female students. Results of the study demonstrated that there was a significant difference between CA in English but not in Bahasa Malaysia with respect to gender and race. Results also showed that there was a significant relationship between CA in English and CA in Bahasa Malaysia. Also noted was a relationship between CA in English and academic achievement. These students were also found to be more apprehensive in public speaking situation more than in other situation. Suggestion for future research was also discussed