Analysing Communication Competence in Pre-Recorded Student Informative Speeches: A Content Analysis

Abstract

Developing strong oral communication skills is essential for preparing undergraduates to succeed in both academic and professional contexts. This exploratory, mixed-method study investigates how pre-recorded informative speech presentations can serve as a platform for enhancing communication competence among university students. Using Spitzberg & Cupach’s Model of Communication Competence framework, a content analysis of eight (8) student video presentations who enrolled in the English for Informative Speech (LCC400) course at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) was conducted, focusing on three dimensions: knowledge (organisation and clarity of ideas), skills (verbal and non-verbal delivery), and motivation (confidence and audience engagement). Findings revealed that students demonstrated satisfactory competence in structuring content, particularly in time management and grammatical accuracy. However, delivery-related challenges, such as limited eye contact, poor vocal projection, and reliance on notes, were frequently observed. Interestingly, despite the flexibility of a pre-recorded format, students still seemed to struggle with their speech delivery. The study also indicated that while the pre-recorded format facilitated technical aspects such as time management, it did not automatically translate into effective delivery or a confident presentation. By applying the framework of communication competence, this paper highlights the role of structured speech tasks in fostering future-ready communication skills. The implications extend to curriculum design, suggesting that video-based oral presentations can complement traditional assessments to develop future-ready communication competence in Malaysian ESL contexts.