Considering A. Bandura’s social learning theory, which focuses on the role of modeling in human behavior, I explored whether modeling a public speech for public speaking students improved the students’ speech performance. Speech modeling has served as an important pedagogical tool for years. However, there has been limited research to determine if modeling improves speech performance. Speeches modeled for students included the following: (1) an ice breaker speech, (2) a special occasion speech, (3) an informative speech, and (4) a persuasive speech. Implications from this study can be used to help students deliver more effective public speeches.
