In this article, we review the best public speaking classes and courses online.
What is Public Speaking?
Public speaking is the act of performing a speech to a live audience.
It is usually the formal process of communicating with a single person or group. Public speaking is also called oration.
Oration plays a large role in the professional world. It is believed that around 70% of all jobs involve some form of public speaking.
Most of us don’t enjoy public speaking. We all have some sort of fear when presenting to the audience.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a student or business professional, learning public speaking will benefit you. Mastering oration will give you the confidence to deliver your message efficiently.
Public speaking training will help you overcome a fear of speaking. The lesson will give you necessary speech practice and technique to become a better speaker in front of the audience.
There are many public speaking classes and courses available online.
But how do you choose the best ones?
We have collected the list of 10 best Public Speaking Classes and Courses online. Here they are:
1. Introduction to Public Speaking by UW
The University of Washington (UW) is a public research university in Seattle, Washington.
This course provides a proven model for preparing and delivering effective presentations. Students will learn how organize talks, how to write, and deliver them with confidence.
By the end of the course, you should be able to reduce your fear of public speaking. Learn to use rehearsal techniques to develop a vibrant speaking voice. How to perform speeches with dynamic movement and gestures.
The public speaking classes will include practice for briefings, elevator talks, and interviews.
If you’re a beginner, this course will help you learn the fundamentals of oration. If you’re an experienced speaker, this course will help push your public speaking to the next level.
This course is part of the Dynamic Public Speaking Specialization that is 9th on this list.
Duration: 17 hours (suggested time 5 weeks, 2 hour per week)
Level: Beginner
Certification: Yes
Free / Paid: $49 per month
Course: Register Here
2. The Complete Public Speaking Course by Udemy
This is a great class that includes public speaking and presentation. Designed for beginners, you will learn how to deliver great presentations with confidence.
If you’re looking to learn public speaking for presentations, this course will be a great choice. In this course the instructor will go through many different aspects to help you improve:
Audience, purpose, content, slides, confidence, delivery, questions, preparation, appearance and resources.
This training is very popular on Udemy, with more than 50,000 students enrolled.
What you’ll learn:
- Deliver an unforgettable presentation.
- Create great content: what to include in your speech.
- 50 presentation templates attached.
- How to prepare for public speaking and presentations.
- Increase your confidence when presenting.
This course includes 16 hours of on-demand video, 30 articles, and 307 downloadable assets.
Duration: 16 hours
Level: Beginner
Certification: Yes
Free / Paid: $12.59
Course: Register Here
3. Speak Like a Pro: Public Speaking for Professionals
If you get nervous about public speaking or giving presentations, this course is for you. It will help you speak up powerfully when it matters most.
Public speaking is a very important skill wherever you work. Your public speaking skills may even be holding back your career. This course will give you the tools you need to speak like a leader.
You will learn to speak confidently and push your career forward.
The course will teach you to organize your thoughts and improve your delivery.
You’ll practice speaking and learn tools to manage your nerves under pressure.
What you’ll learn:
- Connect with any audience and make them care about your message.
- Get your point across without rambling.
- Conquer your speech anxiety.
- Organize your ideas in easy-to-remember frameworks.
- Think and speak on your feet
- Influence others with powerful stories.
Duration: 2 hours video, 16 downloadable assets
Level: Beginner
Certification: Yes
Free / Paid: $199
Course: Register Here
4. Public Speaking by RIT
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private doctoral university in Rochester, New York.
This is an introductory course. These public speaking classes are part of the Soft Skills Professional Certificate program.
You will learn methods to reduce anxiety, build confidence, and customize a speaking process. This will result in successful speaking experiences in front of the audience.
This course is designed to provide you knowledge of the principles. You will study the formal public speaking with an emphasis on:
The organization, evidence, language use, strategy, delivery, ethics, and effective use of media aids.
What you’ll learn:
- How to apply the basic elements of the speech communication process.
- Tools and methods for controlling public speaking anxiety.
- How to craft a clear and impactful speech.
- How to critique other communicators.
- How to identify main and supporting ideas.
This course is free, but getting edX verified certificate (if you need one) will cost you $49.
This course takes 3 weeks to complete, with 4-6 hours per week study.
Duration: 3 weeks
Level: Beginner
Certification: Yes
Free / Paid: Free
Course: Register Here
Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes in design, business, tech and much more.
This e-learning provider offers courses in advertising, business, design, fashion, video, music, gaming, technology, and copywriting.
There are around 90 public speaking classes and videos on the platform. Most are short compared to other courses on this list, but they cover a variety of topics on speaking.
You will find public speaking classes and courses suitable for beginners and intermediates. They cover introduction, fundamentals, persuasion, presentation skills, self-confidence and more.
Skillshare has both free and paid classes. You first register for a free account and upgrade to premium should you decide to take the paid course.
Duration: 1hr+
Level: Beginner
Certification: Yes
Free / Paid: Free & Paid
Course: Register Here
6. Public Speaking Classes & Courses on LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is one of the best online learning platforms. It enables anyone to learn business, software, technology, and creative skills. As the name suggests, it’s a subsidiary of LinkedIn.
There are around 90 public speaking classes and videos on the platform. Most are short compared to other courses on this list, but they cover a variety of topics on speaking.
Courses are available for beginner and intermediate levels. You can find lessons on the fundamentals of public speaking. Also, many short videos offer specific tutorials for nuances of speech delivery.
LinkedIn Learning offers a free 1-month trial. This will be more than enough to learn from the platform due to the short duration of classes.
Duration: 1hr+
Level: Beginner
Certification: Yes
Free / Paid: Free (1-month trial)
Course: Register Here
7. 2020 Complete Public Speaking Masterclass by Udemy
This course is for everyone who wants to improve their public speaking skills. No experience required, it’s for beginners who want to become competent at speaking.
It will benefit intermediate speakers as well, who want to move to the next level. With these public speaking classes, you will elevate your oration skills.
This is one of the popular courses on Udemy, with more than 45,000 students enrolled.
What you’ll learn:
- Look comfortable, confident and relaxed in any speaking situation.
- Speak in a clear and understandable manner.
- Speak in a memorable way (this is the hardest for most people).
- Influence your audience.
- Know exactly what to do when speaking to any size audience on any occasion in any format.
This course includes 30 hours of on-demand video, 5 articles, and 7 downloadable assets.
Duration: 30 hours
Level: Beginner
Certification: Yes
Free / Paid: $14.39
Course: Register Here
8. Public Speaking Training & Facilitator Certification
This course is for beginners and intermediate levels. You will start learning from scratch and move to advance topics.
These public speaking classes over the 6 core competencies. These are:
– Stage Presence, that includes developing confidence and owning the stage.
– Command, that includes owning your expertise and authority, directing the flow of the event.
– Communication, to express your message, engaging with your audience.
– Engagement, to connect with your audience, using professional presentation techniques.
- Education, to teach the material in a manner that leads to authentic learning and transformation.
This course will benefit anyone who wants to become a public speaker. Also for life coaches, counselors, teachers, corporate and seminar trainers.
What you’ll learn:
- How to get rid of the Fear of Public Speaking and feel confident and know how to handle nerves
- To deliver a high-energy, engaging speech.
- To develop a connection with your audience.
- How to Stay on time and remember your content.
This course includes 9 hours of on-demand video, 4 articles, and 65 downloadable assets.
Duration: 9 hours
Level: Beginner
Certification: Yes
Free / Paid: $11.99
Course: Register Here
9. Dynamic Public Speaking Specialization by UW
The University of Washington (UW) is a public research university in Seattle, Washington.
This public speaking class takes 7 months to complete. This four-course specialization will provide you with the instruction, experience, and practice to develop and deliver compelling presentations.
From the list, this is certainly the best public speaking course. The reason we didn’t put it in the first place is the length and difficulty of the studies. This is for people who want to become professional public speakers.
The courses in these specializations should help speakers at all levels.
If you’re a beginner, this course will help you master the fundamentals of speaking. If you are nervous about public speaking, this course is for you.
If you’re an expert speaker, this course will help you better understand public speaking and improve your skills.
You will learn how to design persuasive speeches that address problems and motivates the audience. Learners will record speeches, providing and receiving peer feedback.
The lessons will slowly train specific oration skills. You will practice multiple times before putting going for a long speech.
What you’ll learn:
- Increase your confidence and presence as a dynamic speaker.
- Develop delivery techniques for voice, movement, and gestures that engage audiences.
- Prepare effective speeches for various purposes.
- Master speechwriting techniques for storytelling, argument, and topic framing.
Duration: 7 months
Level: Beginner
Certification: Yes
Free / Paid: $49 per month
Course: Register Here
10. Acumen Presents: Chris Anderson on Public Speaking
Chris Anderson is the head of TED, a non-profit organization that provides idea-based talks. TED is a famous platform where speakers present their ideas in the most innovative and engaging ways.
This public speaking tutorial is for beginners. In this course, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to use public speaking to share powerful ideas. The instructor will walk you through real-life examples of TED Talks.
This course will benefit:
- Entrepreneur pitching a company.
- Business professionals delivering a message to customers.
- Teachers looking to captivate your students
- Everyone who is looking to improve public speaking skills.
This course will help you become a better public speaker capable of leaving a lasting impression.
After completing it, you’ll be able to structure your own talk and deliver it memorably to an audience.
What you’ll learn:
- How to craft an effective throughline for a talk
- Understand 5 different ways to structure your talk
- Learn the effective ways to start your talk & get your audience on board
- Leave your audience with a memorable impression
This is the shortest of the public speaking classes on this list.
Duration: 1 hour (8 articles, 1 downloadable asset)
Level: Beginner
Certification: Yes
Free / Paid: $45
Course: Register Here
This was our list of top 10 Public Speaking Classes and Courses. We hope you’ll find the one for you.
The classes, tutorials, and training above will aid you to gain self-confidence. Mastering public speaking will benefit both, your personal and professional life.
Good luck!
Here’s The Next Step…
Which of the classes above are you going to try?
Or maybe you have a question.
Let us know by leaving a comment below.
