METHODS FOR DEVELOPING LEARNERS’ PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETENCE IN DISTANCE LEARNING

Abstract

The article provides a critical overview of modern approaches to developing public speaking competence among education seekers during distance learning. The analysis is based on peer-reviewed Ukrainian-language and English- language publications from 2021–2025, selected for thematic relevance to public speaking and online communication. The concept of public speaking competence of education seekers is specified, and its difference from general speech and communication competence is shown. The structural-rhetorical, language-expressive, interactive, non-verbal- presentational, and digital-communication components of the methodology, which acquire special importance during the distance educational process, are considered. The pedagogical conditions of synchronous and asynchronous online interaction of the participants were analysed, in particular, the limitations of non-verbal contact, the role of video communication, and the importance of formative feedback. A comparison of the methods showed that synchronous online presentations most contribute to the development of structural and rhetorical skills, video recording and self-reflection – awareness of speech features, digital debates – spontaneous speech and argumentation, and project and problem tasks – integrated professional and communicative activities. The generalization of the results led to the conclusion that the sustainable development of competence involves a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning formats, regular speech practice, self-reflection, and systematic formative assessment. Limitations of the current evidence base related to different assessment criteria, heterogeneity of samples and insufficient number of long- term studies were also revealed. The practical significance of the article lies in the generalization of methodological approaches to organizing the development of public speaking during distance or blended learning formats.