Membangun Kepercayaan Diri dan Keterampilan Public Speaking: Program Pelatihan untuk Santri

Building Self-Confidence and Public Speaking Skills: A Training Program for Islamic Students

Abstract

This study addresses the critical need for soft skills development among orphaned and underprivileged youth, focusing on the persistent challenge of public speaking anxiety and low self-confidence. The objective was to design, implement, and evaluate a targeted training program to enhance self-efficacy and foundational public speaking abilities for students at the Griya Yatim & Dhuafa (GYD) BSD 3 orphanage. The methodology involved a one-day experiential workshop titled "Speak Up! I Can!", integrating interactive theoretical instruction on communication principles with practical simulation exercises. A direct observational approach was used to assess changes in key behavioral indicators of confidence before and after the intervention. Results demonstrated significant positive shifts: participant willingness to speak publicly increased dramatically to approximately 80%, accompanied by marked improvements in non-verbal communication cues such as eye contact, posture, and facial expression. The overall estimated confidence score for the group rose from a low to a moderate range. The program concluded that a structured, practice-oriented workshop grounded in self-efficacy theory is an effective intervention for initiating confidence and skill development in vulnerable youth populations. This initiative contributes to the field by demonstrating the practical application of communication science in community empowerment and offers a replicable model for similar interventions aimed at enhancing the psychosocial readiness of at-risk children.