People's attitude towards public speaking vary wildly.
While some oddly confident folks will gladly address throngs of impassive faces, many of us fall somewhere in a spectrum between “uncomfortable” and “mortally terrified”.
Regardless of your sentiments on this topic, there are more than enough educational materials out there to nudge you into a space where you're not only comfortable with public speaking, but also extremely good at it.
In this article, we'll be taking a look at a few of the best options available to those looking to boost their public speaking abilities.
1. Robin Roberts' Effective And Authentic Communication (MasterClass)
Price
MasterClass subscriptions start at $120 per year. Read our MasterClass review here.
Course Overview
Unique perspectives on effective and authentic communication are offered in Robin Roberts’ Masterclass.
Led by Emmy-winning co-anchor Robin Roberts of Good Morning America, this course provides celebrity insights that are not commonly found in other public speaking courses.
The curriculum is designed to improve skills in:
Effective communication
Human connection
Building rapport
Storytelling
Overcoming stage fright
The course combines the prestige of Harvard’s academic resources with the flexibility of online education, making it an excellent choice for individuals seeking to improve their public speaking skills.
With unique celebrity insights, Robin Roberts’ MasterClass distinguishes itself from other public speaking courses. The course emphasizes authenticity and vulnerability in communication, which has garnered appreciation from students. However, the emotional depth of the lessons may overwhelm some students, and Robin’s personal communication style might not suit everyone.
Students have found resonance with Robin Roberts’ personal challenges, especially her health struggles and her resilient approach, garnering valuable lessons in courage and determination.
The course mantra “Make your mess your message” has inspired students to turn personal adversities into opportunities to inspire, assist and empower others.
Pros
Engaging and Personal: Robin Roberts' teaching style is highly engaging, drawing students in with her personal stories and direct approach to public speaking. Her ability to make the class feel like a one-on-one session adds a unique and intimate learning experience.
Practical Life Lessons: The course is filled with practical advice that extends beyond journalism, touching on aspects of personal development, resilience, and optimism.
Comprehensive Content: Roberts covers a wide range of topics, from storytelling and interviewing techniques to building a portfolio and networking.
Supporting Materials: The course includes downloadable workbooks and supplemental materials that reinforce the video lessons, providing a richer learning experience.
Cons
Emotional Intensity: Some students might find Roberts' emotional openness overwhelming, as she does not shy away from sharing personal and tearful stories.
Focused on Journalism: While the course offers invaluable insights into effective communication, its focus is primarily on journalism and broadcasting. This might limit its appeal to those not interested in these fields.
2. Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking (Harvard University)
Price
The course is free, but participants need to pay a fee of $209 for a verified certificate.
Course Overview
Harvard University’s Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking course provides an exhaustive journey into persuasive communication.
Derived from the on-campus ‘Elements of Rhetoric’ course taught by James Engell, Gurney Professor of English and Comparative Literature, this online course brings the prestige of Harvard’s academic resources to a wider audience.
However, the high cost of the course may be prohibitive for those on a budget.
In Harvard’s Rhetoric course, students delve into an extensive curriculum that includes designing persuasive speeches, using rhetorical style effectively, and recognizing logical fallacies. The course provides a structured path for learning with peer feedback on speech recordings, facilitating practice and critique. However, the high cost of the course may be prohibitive for those on a budget.
With a 4.6 rating on Class Central based on five reviews, the Rhetoric course has been met with a positive response.
Another platform, edX, reflects a similar positive sentiment with the course also achieving a 4.6 rating based on 149 ratings.
Learners have particularly noted their appreciation for the course’s in-depth analysis of rhetorical structure and style.
Pros
Free Access: The course offers free access, with an optional fee-based certificate for those who wish to have official documentation of their learning.
Comprehensive Syllabus: It covers a broad range of topics including the use of rhetorical devices, differentiation between argument and technique, writing persuasive pieces, evaluating arguments, and identifying logical fallacies.
Expert Instruction: Taught by James Engell, a Gurney Professor of English and Professor of Comparative Literature at Harvard University, ensuring high-quality education and insights.
Flexible Learning: Self-paced and requires approximately 16 hours in total, fitting easily into a busy schedule.
Cons
Cost for Certification: While access to the course content is free, obtaining a certificate requires a fee, which might be a consideration for some learners.
Time Commitment: Although the course is designed to be completed at your own pace, it spans 8 weeks with an expected effort of 2–3 hours per week, which may require a significant time commitment from participants.
3. Public Speaking: Find Your Unique Voice (Domestika)
Price
The course's listed price is $39.99 but there is an occasional discounted offer of $6.99.
Course Overview
Domestika’s Public Speaking: Find Your Unique Voice course is designed to motivate and assist individuals in boosting their public speaking skills.
Led by public speaking coach Dasha Dollar-Smirnova, the course covers a wide range of topics and engages participants in a practical project where they must deliver a succinct 2-3 minute online talk.
Aimed at beginners, the course does not require any prior experience, making it highly accessible for individuals seeking to build public speaking confidence. With 99% favorable reviews from a large student base of over 46,000 participants, the course has an overwhelmingly positive reputation.
Covering a wide range of public speaking topics and available in multiple languages, Domestika’s Public Speaking: Find Your Unique Voice course caters to a diverse audience. The course can be accessed online at the learner’s convenience. However, its concise total duration may not cover as much in-depth material as longer, more comprehensive offerings.
Impressively, Domestika’s Public Speaking: Find Your Unique Voice course has garnered 99% positive feedback from 294 reviewers. Many learners highlighted the course’s:
Clear and concise teaching style
Instrumental in helping them grasp and effectively apply the principles of public speaking
Direct influence on their professional capabilities, particularly in enhancing their presentation and public speaking skills
Pros
Highly practical exercises and storytelling techniques.
Helps build confidence in public speaking.
Offers 16 lessons and 11 additional resources.
Available online at your own pace.
Supports multiple languages.
Beginner level, accessible to a wide audience.
99% positive reviews from students.
4. Communicate with Confidence: Learn to Give Powerful Speeches (Domestika)
Price
The course's price is $39.99 but there is a discounted offer of $6.99.
Course Overview
Domestika’s Communicate with Confidence: Learn to Give Powerful Speeches course is tailored to bolster communication as a career enhancement tool.
Led by public relations and public speaking coach Dasha Dollar-Smirnova, the course offers actionable strategies and skills for various public speaking situations. However, the course instructor may not be as highly recognized as those in other courses, which could affect the perceived value and authority of the course content.
A variety of public speaking situations are addressed through actionable strategies in the Communicate with Confidence course, which aims to improve communication and public speaking skills.
It provides additional resources to enhance the learning process. However, the course may lack interactive elements such as live practice sessions or peer reviews, as suggested by some users.
Impressively, the Communicate with Confidence: Learn to Give Powerful Speeches course holds a 99% positive feedback score from 294 reviewers. Many learners highlighted the course’s:
Clear and concise teaching style
Instrumental in helping them grasp and effectively apply the principles of public speaking
Direct influence on their professional capabilities, particularly in enhancing their presentation and pitching skills
Pros
Offers a structured approach to powerful public speaking.
Includes practical exercises and resources.
Accessible to beginners, with lessons available in multiple languages.
5. Fear of Public Speaking: Never Fear Public Speaking Again (Udemy)
Price
The course comes in at a price of $64.99.
Course Overview
Designed to help individuals conquer their fear of public speaking, Udemy’s Fear of Public Speaking: Never Fear Public Speaking Again course provides an effective solution. The course offers:
A psychological approach to reduce anxiety associated with public speaking
Strategies to increase self-assurance
Structured lessons to overcome public speaking anxiety
Users have appreciated the course’s structured approach. However, it’s important to note that the course may have a potential disadvantage due to its use of generic content that may not cater to the specific needs of all attendees.
Udemy’s Fear of Public Speaking course is specifically tailored to eliminate the fear of public speaking and foster confidence in public speaking abilities.
The course incorporates practical exercises and advice on key aspects of public speaking, such as voice control, nervousness management, and storytelling techniques. However, the generic content may not cater to the specific needs of all attendees.
6. Coursera: Dynamic Public Speaking Specialization (University of Washington)
Price
The Dynamic Public Speaking Specialization course is free.
Course Overview
Delving into the art of public speaking, the University of Washington’s Dynamic Public Speaking course offers a comprehensive exploration.
The course’s structured approach is ideal for beginners, covering a broad range of concepts from communication to argumentation. With award-winning instructor Dr. Matt McGarrity at the helm, participants can expect to receive expert guidance and one-on-one feedback tailored towards their improvement.
The course also offers:
Free access to video lectures and reading materials, supplementing the comprehensive curriculum
A hefty time investment
Mandates the completion of an introductory course before advancing to more complex topics
Known for its extensive focus on speechwriting, delivery techniques, and practical advice, the Dynamic Public Speaking course stands out.
The course can be completed at one’s own pace, with a suggested commitment of three hours per week. The course’s instructor, Dr. Matt McGarrity, is an award-winning speaker and teacher known for his engaging style and ability to make content accessible and interesting. However, the course requires a subscription fee for certification, which could be a drawback for some.
Feedback from students indicates that the effectiveness of the Dynamic Public Speaking course is significantly enhanced by its clear and structured approach.
The comprehensive curriculum notably improves their self awareness, speech preparation and delivery, with benefits derived from recording and self-assessment of their own performances.
The course has proven to be beneficial across various professions, with students sharing success stories of confidently addressing large audiences and applying course learnings to challenging real-world situations.
7. Coursera: Successful Presentation (University of Colorado Boulder)
Price
Coursera's Successful Presentation skills offered by the University of Colorado Boulder is a free course.
Course Overview
Offering a practical approach to effective public speaking, the University of Colorado Boulder’s Successful Presentation skills course is a valuable resource. The course examines four main themes:
Overcoming fear
Developing a creative formula
Using language and body gestures
Anticipating the setting
These themes provide comprehensive insight into effective communication techniques and critical thinking. This practical approach has been appreciated by users, who have noted the course’s structure as a strong point. However, the course may lack advanced topics and ideas that could benefit experienced speakers seeking more in-depth content.
Hands-on learning is a key emphasis of the Successful Presentation skills course, which aims to improve your presentation skills. It provides practical rehearsals and strategies to manage unpredictable elements during presentations, even in front of a live audience. The course’s content structure is streamlined, which may suit some learners. However, the depth of advanced techniques for seasoned speakers may be lacking, and the content may be too elemental for those with existing proficiency in using language effectively.
The Successful Presentation course at the University of Colorado Boulder has been praised by students for its practical approach to teaching research realities and developing communication skills to tackle challenges during presentations. The peer review system, where presentations are evaluated by peers, was highlighted as particularly helpful for providing diverse perspectives. The course’s community forum fostered further interaction and feedback sharing, enriching the learning experience.
Verdict
A comprehensive public speaking course should cover a wide array of topics, including:
Overcoming fear
Crafting persuasive speeches
Developing effective body language and vocal delivery
Using visual aids effectively
Engaging with the audience
Handling Q&A sessions
Improving storytelling and communication skills
Managing nerves and anxiety
Aligning the course choice with personal objectives, like enhancing existing public speaking skills or launching a public speaking career, ensures the course will cater to specific individual needs and support both personal development and career development.
With this in mind, there's a clear winner in our comparison of the best public speaking courses on the market today: Robin Roberts' Effective And Authentic Communication.
The MasterClass course stands out for its emphasis on emotional connection and authenticity, drawing from Roberts' rich broadcasting experience.
However, for those interested in the mechanics and theory of persuasion, Harvard University's Rhetoric course offers an in-depth exploration of persuasive writing and speaking, making it ideal for individuals keen on understanding the intellectual facets of communication.
Alternatively, Domestika's Public Speaking: Find Your Unique Voice focuses on personal expression and the development of a unique public speaking style, guided by practical exercises and storytelling techniques, perfect for those looking to infuse their presentations with personality and authenticity.
Each course provides a distinct approach to public speaking, catering to different goals and interests, from mastering persuasive communication to overcoming public speaking anxiety and enhancing personal or professional expression.
Summary
With so many informative and affordable online public speaking courses to choose from, there's literally no longer any excuse for shirking any public speaking gigs that may be coming your way.
It's clear that learning how to speak in public is more than just overcoming jitters or getting through a presentation without stumbling. It's about connecting with your audience in a way that's genuine and impactful, whether you're sharing an idea, telling a story, or advocating for a cause.
At the end of the day, mastering public speaking opens up a world of opportunities for personal growth, career advancement, and the ability to make a difference in the world around us. So, no matter which course you choose, you're setting yourself up for a journey that goes far beyond the podium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are public speaking classes worth it?
Yes, public speaking classes are worth the investment as they offer opportunities to develop essential public speaking skills, overcome stage fright, boost confidence, expand business networks, and improve career prospects.
It's a skill like any other. You wouldn't expect to be good or comfortable at playing the guitar if you've never taken lessons.
What is the best way to teach public speaking?
The best way to teach public speaking is to articulate clearly, use powerful body language effectively, eliminate filler words, practice consistently, stay on topic, engage the audience, ask questions, and encourage interaction among students. These tips will enhance the effectiveness of public speaking and help students improve their communication and public speaking skills.
How do I train myself to speak in public?
To train yourself to speak in public, study great public speakers, understand the basics of communication skills, relax your body language, practice voice and breath control, prepare talking points, know your audience, and rehearse. You and listeners can also record your speeches and watch them back to identify areas for improvement.
Which public speaking course is best for beginners?
The Dynamic Public Speaking course at the University of Washington is best for beginners as it is specifically designed for them. The course offers a terrific insight into fundamental communication skills.
Are there public speaking courses that offer celebrity insights?
Yes, you can gain celebrity insights from Robin Roberts' Effective And Authentic Communication course on MasterClass.
