Students' strategies in dealing with presentation anxiety in English classrooms

Fear or anxiety during oral presentations in English is a common issue faced by EFL students. This anxiety can negatively impact self-confidence, class participation, and communication performance among students. This study aims to identify various forms of anxiety experienced by students when delivering presentations in English and the coping strategies they employ to address it. The method used in this research is a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collection through semi-structured interviews with two non-English education study program students at Universitas Ahmad Dahlan who have experience in presenting in English. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. The results indicate that students experience anxiety both psychologically (nervousness, fear, worry) and physiologically (trembling, palpitations). Several factors that trigger anxiety include the fear of making grammatical mistakes, social pressure, and a lack of self-confidence. To address this anxiety, students employ cognitive strategies (memorizing key points, understanding the material), behavioral strategies (repetitive practice, simulation), and affective strategies. Repeated presentation experiences have also been proven to gradually reduce anxiety levels. In conclusion, students are not passive in facing presentation anxiety; rather, they actively develop strategies to manage it. A supportive learning environment and gradual speaking opportunities are essential.