Researchers have consistently described certain individuals who avoid interaction which requires oral communication with other people. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether or not oral communication apprehension was related to the employment status of student enrolled in Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs. Results of this investigation indicate the relationship is positive. Unemployed adults enrolled in ABE demonstrated greater reticence to talk on a measure of oral communication apprehension than did employed ABE students. Programs designed to maximize the oral communicative confidence and skill of ABE students should be considered in order to enhance the employment potential of the adult learner.
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