Speaking Up in TVET: A Review Of Oral Presentation Difficulties Faced By Malaysian Polytechnic Students

Abstract

Oral presentation skills have emerged as a core employability skill for TVET graduates across all educational systems, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). In Malaysia, where polytechnics and vocational institutions play a crucial role in producing technically skilled graduates, communication and presentation skills are increasingly emphasized as part of holistic student development. However, despite curricular integration of communication components, many Malaysian TVET and polytechnic students continue to experience significant challenges in oral presentation tasks. This paper reviews recent empirical studies published between 2020 and 2025 that examine oral presentation issues among Malaysian TVET learners. Findings from this body of research highlight several recurring difficulties, including communication apprehension, public speaking anxiety, low English language proficiency, and inadequate preparation strategies. Psychological barriers, such as fear of negative evaluation and lack of self-confidence, were frequently reported to affect students’ delivery. Linguistic barriers, particularly limited vocabulary and grammar control, were shown to hinder effective message construction. Additionally, contextual factors such as limited exposure to authentic speaking opportunities, culturally shaped communication norms, and the transition to online or hybrid presentation platforms during and after the COVID-19 pandemic made these challenges worse. The review concludes that while interventions such as scaffolded speaking tasks, technology-enhanced learning platforms, and targeted confidence-building activities show promise, further research is needed to evaluate their long-term impact. This paper underscores the importance of equipping TVET students with oral communication competence to enhance their job prospects and workplace readiness alongside their technical skills.

Keywords Oral presentation, TVET, Malaysian polytechnic students, communication apprehension.