Discover the Best Public Speaking Classes Near Me
Public speaking is a form of presentation given in front of a live audience. Whether it be to inform, educate, persuade or entertain, public speaking has been around for thousands of years, beginning in the eras of Ancient Greece and Rome. The importance of public speaking, according to the Ancient Greeks, stems from the purpose of rhetoric and persuasion. The purpose, however, is to move the audience to action or to educate on specific topics. In the fields of education and writing, public speaking intends to question specific issues and cause a rise in the audience to have specific reactions. A great example of public speaking for education is TED Talks.
TED Talks are informative speeches with lectures about technology, art, education, major societal issues, and mental illness. Podcasts have become an effective method of communicating with the public on major societal issues and various topics. Public speaking is essential because presenting ideas and information has become a large part of our daily workflows. Communication is critical in the modern world because many of us work from home, in large offices, and rely on collaboration to complete projects or tasks.
Why You Should Learn Public Speaking
Learning the skill of public speaking is essential to leadership roles, communication heavy jobs, and advancing careers in multiple fields. Public speaking can be nerve-wracking for shy souls. Still, the importance of facing fears and learning the skill leads to better employment opportunities in business, education, marketing, and economics. Informing others is becoming a large part of our daily work lives, from providing lectures in a classroom to presenting pitches in business meetings and even discussing ideas with your boss. Communication is essential for many of us working from home or in a live corporate environment. Public speaking is also vital for boosting your confidence in front of a room of people, whether at the office or a conference.
Public speaking is an essential part of critical thinking and improving communication skills. Writing a speech to inform, entertain or persuade are often part of daily work lives across multiple disciplines. Improving communication skills is essential not only for work but at home as well. Another aspect of public speaking is creating connections and networking with people with similar interests. Expanding your professional network is a valuable opportunity to make friends and build relationships for business. In addition, writing a speech helps develop your vocabulary and fluency.
5 Ways to Learn Public Speaking
Learning the skill of public speaking takes experience and practice, but with seasoned instructors, the process of learning public speaking becomes easier with time. The nuances of body language, persuasive language, and practice speaking are vital components to ensure success. These methods can also help with learning public speaking:
- Study past great public speakers to learn their body language, key phrases, and gestures during public speaking. A confident tone helps convey your message to the audience, including solid eye contact and calm body posture. Many public speakers aim to keep their body language open and inviting to remain emotionally connected with their intended audience. Pacing is also critical because rushing through a speech can often lead to confusion.
- Practice body language and volume control. The more you practice, the better off you are in public speaking and conveying clear communication to your audience. For example, using flash cards while practicing helps with memorizing your presentation, and volume control and pacing aid with calming your nerves.
- Take an in-person course about public speaking and take notes about persuasive speaking techniques. With the help of an experienced instructor, it provides the perfect environment to practice public speaking with other students with similar interests. Take notes on what you can improve and what you do well during public speaking.
- Enroll in virtual public speaking classes online. With a flexible learning schedule, online courses help with learning persuasive speaking skills and applying them. Online tutorials on Youtube and other platforms provide the basics of public speaking skills. Even watching TED Talks and taking notes about each speaker's strengths helps with learning. Listen to podcasts about public speaking and tips for success. A helpful podcast to begin with is the Speaker Lab, which emphasizes the importance of clarity, consistency, and calm as crucial components of public speaking.
- Shop for books online about public speaking. Many experienced public speakers, like politicians and educators, have published their public speaking methods to help with learning the skill. Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds on Amazon is a great place to start.
In-Person Public Speaking Classes
Public speaking courses are offered locally and nationwide. Public speaking classes are available in the area near you, with the guidance of experienced instructors and the ability to practice your skills in front of others. There are several in-person public speaking classes in New York City and Los Angeles.
The first in-person public speaking workshop is Improve Your Public Speaking, taught by Balance Arts Center in the Chelsea area of Manhattan. The course focuses on training students’ speaking abilities, vocal quality, and stamina through vocalizing exercises in front of an audience. The course offers the chance to practice one-on-one and in a group setting. The class is perfect for teachers, singers, actors, and other public speakers, starting at $75 per person. The Balance Arts Center focuses on principles of the Alexander technique, keeping body language, breath control, and clear communication in mind.
A more comprehensive course focused on career expansion and executive settings is the Effective Executive Speaking course in Midtown Manhattan. The class focuses on professional aspects of public speaking, from presentations to speeches, and the instructor provides techniques for conquering the fears of public speaking. The course identifies elements of an effective presentation, creates a speaker skills profile, and sets personal goals. The course lasts for three all-day sessions, starting at $2,795 per person, and is taught by the American Management Association.
In Los Angeles, the workshop Effective Presentations is offered by Training Connection. The workshop focuses primarily on elements of successful business presentations, such as how to inform, educate, motivate, and persuade audiences through public speaking discourse. The course covers different aspects of a successful presentation, such as crafting your argument, practicing delivery, and planning. The course takes place in downtown Los Angeles, beginning at $350 per person, and lasts for a full day.
Another in-person public speaking course is Public Speaking 101, offered by The Story Source. This is a suitable course for beginners, emphasizing the importance of relatable body language and vocabulary to convey your ideas effectively to the audience. In the workshop, you and your classmates will receive feedback from your expert coach to ease anxiety. The workshop begins with improvisational games designed to help build self-confidence and listening skills before tackling public speaking in breakout groups. The Story Source is a consulting group for storytellers, actors, and public speakers to work on public speaking skills.
In Chicago, the Presentation Skills Workshop is offered by the American Management Association. The training within this course focuses on the essential skills of presenting effectively in a business setting and developing your own speaking style. Developing key ideas will also become an essential part of the course, beginning with speaking clearly and confidently. You’ll also learn how to tailor your presentation specifically for your audience. The course costs $1,495 per person and lasts for one day. The American Management Association aims to help with talent development and public speaking skills.
In Boston, the workshop Public Speaking Class is taught by BostonSpeaks. The workshop is four hours with expert instruction from TED Speaker Coach Kit Pang. Kit Pang founded BostonSpeaks, a non-profit company focused on public speaking and communication training. The workshop focuses on style and delivery, including the medium of your presentation and the content of your speech. Kit Pang also discusses creating effective mindsets, missions, and maps for crafting skillful presentations to audiences. The course costs $450 per person and welcomes all levels of learners.
Virtual Public Speaking Classes
While in-person public speaking courses are excellent for meeting people with similar interests, virtual public speaking courses offer the ability to attend from the comfort of your home office. Since in-person public speaking courses aren’t always available in all areas, virtual courses are a great alternative to learning on your schedule, with the flexibility of learning through Zoom and experienced instructors' guidance. The only supplies that may be helpful for the virtual online courses are a notebook, pen, or other methods of taking notes. Online virtual classes offer a chance to save time by not having to commute to class, allowing more time for practicing public speaking and even with fun methods, like improv classes.
The advantages of virtual public speaking courses emphasize the convenience of a flexible schedule by utilizing video conferencing software like Zoom. Meeting other classmates in a virtual environment requires no additional commute.
The first public speaking online workshop is Managing Personality & Behavioral Styles at Work. The workshop begins at $35 per person, taught by Perception Insights. The course offers insight into work styles and personalities, including the ways to adapt and motivate your team members. The workshop also covers the four primary behavioral types, their strengths and challenges, and how to overcome them. Rebecca Maxwell teaches the course and is an experienced instructor on leadership and management skills.
A wide variety of virtual public speaking courses are available, from giving lively presentations to improv classes and fun ways to practice public speaking skills. Presenting with Impact is a course that eliminates nerves about giving business presentations and turning the opportunity into a more dynamic solution. The course focuses on ways to successfully navigate public speaking anxiety, including considering your sense of presence, the information, and the audience to maintain your credibility as a speaker. The course is organized by Exec-Comm LLC, a company committed to improving communication skills, with presenting and writing in mind. The course is four hours long, starting at $575 per person.
Another workshop offered by Exec-Comm is Dynamic Interactions. The workshop provides significant insights into improving communication skills, focusing on the dynamics of business meetings and effectively conveying your ideas. The workshop reshapes how you share information and refines delivery skills. It also teaches you how to identify another person’s Communication style and listen for key insights. Exec-Comm focuses on broadening communication skills, from presenting to writing; the program offers insights into preparation and how to communicate effectively.
A third online public speaking course option is Advanced Presentation Skills by Improving Communications. The course is four hours long, focusing on sharpening skills such as motivating the audience through persuasive methods and informing them about ideas. The workshop offers insights into gaining more efficiency by crafting messages and eliminating verbal tics and filler words from your vocabulary. The workshop provides further aid in creating strong evidence with speech and visual aids. The class size is typically 20 people, starting at the price of $499 per person.
Private Group Public Speaking Classes
Do you wish to schedule public speaking classes as an enjoyable group event for friends or co-workers? Group public speaking courses are an excellent way to refine communication skills as a team-building activity for large and small groups. CourseHorse offers several options to schedule private group public speaking classes online or live in your office location.
While it may not be listed publicly, there are several options for private group public speaking courses. The benefits of booking with CourseHorse are numerous, with the options to modify group sizes on bookings, confirmation is sent within 24 hours, and there are no additional fees. Additionally, CourseHorse offers the support of multiple online platforms through Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
One course that is great for large private groups for companies is Overcoming Your Public Speaking Fears, presented by Zenspeak Public Speaking Center. The class sizes begin at 15 but can be accommodated for larger groups, starting at $425 per person, and the workshop lasts an hour and a half. The course is held over Zoom, and offers techniques for overcoming anxiety when speaking in groups in four separate sessions. The first session focuses on getting comfortable with hearing your voice, then working on confidence in front of groups, gestures and movement, implementation of skills, responding to questions, impromptu speaking, and then preparing speeches. The only needed material is a course workbook for $25, including the sign-up price.
Another group public speaking class offered is The Art of Public Speaking, taught by The NLP Center of New York. The course can be accommodated for groups of 20, offered at $595 per person and lasting for three hours on Zoom. The course provides helpful skill sets in speaking with authority, being present without fear, and reading your audience. Other focuses are commanding attention, thinking on your feet, and making a lasting impression on your audience.
What Will I Need to Learn Public Speaking?
Required materials for learning public speaking include course materials, such as workbooks. Bringing your note-taking materials, such as a notebook, laptop, or journal with pens, would be helpful. Also, getting past notes from work, such as your speaking style and personality profile, would be beneficial for applying any feedback from your instructor. Public speaking courses include the cost of needed materials, such as workbooks or textbooks. Bringing your self-confidence and being prepared for any planned speeches is also needed. The use of note cards is perfectly acceptable for practicing in these courses.
Other needed materials would be the internet and your laptop. The internet provides valuable sources and tutorials for public speaking skills, with tutorials through Youtube and news websites showcasing politicians and other public figures. Taking notes on the positives and negatives of such speakers helps build your public speaking skills. Studying body language and vocabulary from current public speakers is a great way to apply communication skills from examples effectively. Even TED posts tutorials about public speaking and tips about overcoming anxiety.
Is it Difficult to Learn Public Speaking?
Learning public speaking can be challenging, especially when speaking in front of crowds and groups, but it’s a rewarding skill set. Public speaking is essential for communication, clarity, and conveying your ideas to coworkers, friends, and family. Moreover, overcoming public speaking anxiety helps with furthering your career, building communication skills, and improving presentations.
Learning public speaking is a worthwhile challenge for public speakers in education, technology, science, and healthcare. Speaking in front of a large audience can become intimidating but can be quickly overcome with guidance and practice.
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