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Public speaking is a skill that will serve you well in professional, academic and personal settings. Is the thought of speaking in front of others terrifying? If you feel that way, you’re not alone.
If you struggle to give effective presentations, consider enrolling in an online public speaking course. You’ll learn how to craft effective presentations and deliver them with confidence. Do you already have public speaking experience? If so, advanced options can help you become an even better presenter.
Benzinga is here to help you find a public speaking training course that fits your needs and budget.
Quick Look: Best Public Speaking Training Courses
Take a look at Benzinga’s top picks:
- Public Speaking for Beginners by Udemy
- Introduction to Public Speaking by the University of Washington
- Public Speaking Foundations by LinkedIn Learning
- Acumen Presents: Chris Anderson on Public Speaking by Udemy
- Public Speaking: Energize and Engage Your Audience by LinkedIn Learning
- Presentations: Speaking so that People Listen by the University of California, Irvine
- Speak with Confidence: Public Speaking for Career Growth by Udemy
- Speak Like a Pro: Public Speaking for Professionals by Udemy
- Public Speaking: C-Level Executive Public Speaking Skills by Udemy
- You Can Deliver a TED-Style Talk Presentation by Udemy
- Public Speaking and Presentations Pro: No Beginners Allowed! by Udemy
- 2021 Complete Public Speaking Masterclass For Every Occasion by Udemy
What Makes a Public Speaking Training Course Great?
How do you know if a public speaking training course is worthy of your time and money? Consider these factors as you narrow down your options and choose the best fit.
Facilitated by an Accomplished Instructor
Only consider courses led by experienced public speakers who have also trained others to deliver engaging presentations. You can learn more about their track record by reading their biography and reviews from past students.
Interactive
You won’t learn to speak with confidence until you put your skills to the test. The best public speaking training courses are interactive and include assignments that allow you to flourish in a practice setting.
Affordable
There are public speaking training courses for all budgets. Don’t be fooled into spending more on a class that doesn’t add more value. Start with free options if money’s tight and move on to paid options as your budget permits.
Our Top Picks
Below, you will find the best online public speaking training courses from Coursera, LinkedIn Learning and Udemy. We’ve categorized our top picks by skill level — beginners, intermediate students and advanced students. There’s also a description and price point for each course to help you make an educated decision.
Public Speaking Training Courses for Beginners
Start with these courses if you're new to public speaking.
1. Public Speaking for Beginners by Udemy
Who it's for: Beginners
Price: On sale
Public Speaking for Beginners provides students with solid foundational knowledge. You will learn how to deliver powerful briefings, talks, presentations and speeches.
The course spans a little over 30 minutes includes 17 lectures that are segmented into 3 components:
- Public Speaking so that Nobody Will Know You Are a Beginner
- Refining Your Public Speaking Skills the Smart, Systematic Way
- Conclusion: Public Speaking for Beginners
Instructor T.J. Walker is a personal development, media training and communication expert. He’s also the founder of Media Training World, a public speaking training workshop and seminar provider that’s been around for over 30 years.
2. Introduction to Public Speaking by the University of Washington
Who it's for: Beginners
Price: Free
Offered by the University of Washington, this introductory course teaches the essentials of public speaking. It’s a component of the Public Speaking Specialization and prepares you to deliver effective presentations in various settings.
Introduction to Public Speaking is facilitated by Dr. Matt McGarrity, principal lecturer in communication and includes 5 modules:
- Understanding Speech
- Making Ideas Compelling and Memorable
- Illustrating and Delivering Your Ideas
- Overcoming Your Fear of Public Speaking and Developing Great Delivery
- Course Conclusion and Your Final Speech
Each module features video lectures and supplementary readings. You will also be tasked with taking a series of quizzes to assess your comprehension.
Enrollment is free, and you can expect to spend 13 hours working through the course material.
3. Public Speaking Foundations by LinkedIn Learning
Who it's for: Beginners
Price: Included with the monthly membership
This introductory course is another viable option if you want to learn the fundamentals of public speaking. It’s ideal for newbies and explores the components of a stellar presentation.
Public Speaking Foundations also includes lessons on how to identify your audience, warm-up for a speech, manage pre-performance anxiety, introduce your agenda, avoid opening mistakes and more.
Here’s a look at the course syllabus:
- Introduction
- Prepare Your Speech
- Prepare for Your Speech
- Open
- Deliver
- Close
- Conclusion
The course is led by professional speaker and community leader Laura Bergells. She has over 14 years of experience in the field.
Grab a free seat in this course with a monthly LinkedIn membership. If you’re not yet a member, enroll for free by registering for a 1-month trial.
4. Acumen Presents: Chris Anderson on Public Speaking by Udemy
Who it’s for: Beginners
Price: $179.99
What if you could learn the art of public speaking from one of the best in the industry? You can with this highly-rated introductory course from Udemy. It’s facilitated by Chris Anderson, the curator of TED, and sheds light on what it really takes to craft a stunning talk and structure it in a way that leaves your audience in awe.
Acumen Presents: Chris Anderson on Public Speaking entails 5 parts:
- The Key Elements of Powerful Public Speaking
- 5 Tools for Successful Talks
- How to Banish Your Fears of Public Speaking Successfully Rehearse
- Why Public Speaking Matters More Than Ever
- Bonus: Free Preview of + Acumen Master Class with Wharton Professor Adam Grant
When you enroll, you will get instant access to 1 hour of on-demand video, 8 articles and 1 downloadable resource.
Intermediate Public Speaking Training Courses
If you have some public speaking experience under your belt, consider these courses to polish your skills.
5. Public Speaking: Energize and Engage Your Audience by LinkedIn Learning
Who it's for: Intermediate students
Price: Included with the monthly membership
Offered by Careercake, this intermediate course dives into proven strategies that can be leveraged to breathe life into your audience. It spans 30 minutes and features video lessons from public speaking coach Shola Kaye.
Public Speaking: Energize and Engage Your Audience is comprised of 5 core lessons:
- Know Your Audience
- Open Strongly
- Be a Dynamic Presenter
- Be an Inspiring Presenter
- Close with Impact and Carry on the Conversation
You will walk away with the knowledge and skills to develop an impactful speech that includes a strong opening, dynamic closing and inspires your audience from start to finish. Plus, you will know how to strategically use your body, energy, storytelling techniques and words to engage the crowd.
Enrollment is free with a monthly LinkedIn Learning membership.
6. Presentations: Speaking so that People Listen by the University of California, Irvine
Who it's for: Intermediate students
Price: Free
Presented by the University of California, Irvine, this intermediate course will help you become a more confident public speaker.
It is the second installment in the Learn English: Advanced Academic Speaking and Listening Specialization and includes lessons on delivering effective speeches that resonate with our audience and eliminate stage fright. This class also delves into ways to communicate vital concepts to your audience more effectively.
Presentations: Speaking so that People Listen by the University of California, Irvine features 4 segments:
- Presentation Introductions
- What to Include in a Speech
- Preparing to Present
- Other Tips for Presenting
There’s no cost to enroll. Expect to spend 19 hours working through the video lessons, supplementary readings and quizzes.
7. Speak with Confidence: Public Speaking for Career Growth by Udemy
Who it's for: Intermediate students
Price: On sale
In a little under an hour, you will learn how to leverage public speaking to accelerate your career. Speak with Confidence: Public Speaking for Career Growth is offered by the Institute of Personal Excellence and Life Skills.
This intermediate course features 19 lectures that are divided into 5 sections:
- Develop Confidence and How to Impress Anyone
- Important Aspects of Public Speaking Skill
- How Public Speaking Helps Career Growth
- Characteristics of an Effective Public Speaker
- Practical Aspects and Important Points (from Planning to Creating a Great Speech)
Registration is free.
8. Speak Like a Pro: Public Speaking for Professionals by Udemy
Who it’s for: Intermediate students
Price: $199.99
If you’re a manager or career professional who fears speaking in front of others, consider this course to boost your confidence. Speak Like a Pro: Public Speaking for Professionals is facilitated by executive presentation coach Jennifer Hennings.
It includes 1 hour of on-demand video, 17 downloadable resources and 1 practice test that teaches you how to connect with your audience, keep them engaged throughout the entire presentation and minimize your anxiety. You will also learn how to organize key ideas in your mind so they’re easy to remember and tell compelling stories.
Take a peek at the outline:
- Welcome!
- Analyze Your Audience
- Structure Your Content
- Tell Your Story
- Speak Like a Pro: Delivery Skills
- Think and Speak on Your Feet
- Manage Your Speech Anxiety
- Next Steps and More Resources
It only takes a few minutes to sign up, and you can access the contents 24/7 from your laptop, desktop, smartphone or other mobile devices.
Advanced Public Speaking Training Courses
Career professionals, students and aspiring public speakers will find these courses useful.
9. Public Speaking: C-Level Executive Public Speaking Skills by Udemy
Who it's for: Advanced students
Price: On sale
Are you an aspiring or current C-Level executive searching for ways to polish your public speaking skills? Look no further than this highly-rated course from Udemy. You will learn to speak with authority and deliver messages that are both engaging, effective and clearly convey critical points to employees, investors
Public Speaking: C-Level Executive Public Speaking Skills is also facilitated by T.J. Walker. He categorizes lessons as follows:
- You Can Speak Like a C-Level Executive Before You Reach the C-Suite
- Projecting Leadership by Communicating Leadership Case Studies
- Present Like Steve Jobs
- Housekeeping Matters
- Conclusion
- Extra Reading Section
- Bonus Videos
Register today for full lifetime access to 30 lectures jam-packed into 2.5 hours of on-demand video, 5 articles and 5 downloadable resources. You will also receive a certificate of completion when you finish the course.
10. You Can Deliver a TED-Style Talk Presentation by Udemy
Who it's for: Advanced students
Price: On sale
Have you always dreamed of giving a TED talk? Enroll in this advanced course to prepare until your dream comes to fruition.
You Can Deliver a TED-Style Talk Presentation is another exceptional offering from T.J. Walker that caters to academic scholars, activists, authors and corporate executives.
Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect from the course:
- What is Special About a TED Talk?
- Becoming a World-Class Speaker
- Extra Reading
- Housekeeping Matters
- Questions from Students with Video Response from T.J.
The enrollment fee grants you exclusive access to 28 lectures condensed into 1 hour of on-demand video, 5 articles and 3 downloadable resources.
Take advantage of the promotional pricing on this course by registering today.
11. Public Speaking and Presentations Pro: No Beginners Allowed! by Udemy
Price: On sale
Who it's for: Advanced students
Join over 15,000 Udemy students who have taken this course to advance their public speaking skills and master the art of delivering an effective presentation. It’s designed for academic leaders, career professionals, business owners, financial experts and students seeking skill to help them captivate their audiences when presenting.
Instructed by professional speaking coach Jason Teteak, Public Speaking and Presentations Pro: No Beginners Allowed! includes 4 segments:
- Open Well
- Delivery Skills
- Audience Management
- Bonus: Discover the Top 10 Fears of Public Speaking
When you sign up, you will get instant access to 4.5 hours of on-demand video lectures and 13 downloadable resources. The course comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied for any reason.
12. 2021 Complete Public Speaking Masterclass For Every Occasion by Udemy
Who it’s for: Advanced students
Price: $139.99
The 2021 Complete Public Speaking Masterclass For Every Occasion is for individuals who want to become world-class speakers and shine in front of any audience.
This Udemy bestseller consists of 601 lectures that will sharpen and soar your speaking skills to new heights. TJ Walker, the founder of Media Training Worldwide, includes lessons on public speaking fundamentals, body language, verbal tics, common fears, storytelling, speaking on video, preparation hacks and more. You will also learn how to deliver TED and TEDx Talks with ease, pitch investors, present to foreign audiences, engage in panel discussions and persuade your audience to take action.
Ready to get started? Sign up today to get exclusive access to 31 hours of on-demand video, 4 articles and 8 downloadable resources.
Get Started with a Public Speaking Training Course
Ready to get started? Consider our recommendations as you explore public speaking training courses. They are facilitated by professional speakers and trainers who share secrets needed to deliver impressive presentations. The classes are also interactive and affordable to help you get the most out of your online learning experience without breaking the bank.
See also: BEST PUBLIC SPEAKING COURSES
Southern New Hampshire University Online
SNHU Online Offers:
- Flexible schedules
- Affordable tuition
- Online tutoring
- Access to electronic research materials
- Specialized academic advising
- Supportive online community