The Relationship between Pre-Service Teachers’ Five-Factor Personality Traits and Public Speaking Anxiety

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between pre-service teachers’ public speaking anxiety and their five-factor personality traits. The study was conducted with 503 pre-service teachers aged between 18 and 35. The data were collected using the Public Speaking Anxiety Scale, the Quick Big Five Personality Test, and a personal information form. Results from multiple regression analysis indicated that neuroticism and agreeableness significantly and positively predicted public speaking anxiety, whereas extraversion, openness to experience, and conscientiousness significantly and negatively predicted it. In addition, gender was also found to be a significant predictor, with female pre-service teachers reporting higher levels of public speaking anxiety than their male counterparts. The model explained 37% of the variance in public speaking anxiety. Based on the findings, it is recommended to design psychoeducational programs aimed at enhancing the communication skills and reducing the speaking anxiety of pre-service teachers, particularly those with introverted or neurotic personality traits. Such interventions could contribute significantly to their professional competence and effectiveness in classroom communication.