10 Best Public Speaking Courses & Classes Online [2022]

Public speaking is one of the most important skills in today’s world. Public presentation skills allow individuals whether students, business professionals, elected officials, motivational authors or speakers, entertainers, or other professionals to persuade and captivate their audience effectively. Therefore, pursuing a public speaking certification can be a great way to advance your goals.

According to a study by sociologist Andrew Zekeri, college graduates consider oral communication and public speaking skills to be the number one skill. Thousands of college students and professionals take up public speaking courses online every year.

Public speaking training courses are designed to teach individuals the skills and techniques that they need to capture audience’s attention. These help to improve the ability to communicate, overcome fear and anxiety of public speaking, develop leadership skills and project confidence. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of public speaking skills training –

Developing critical thinking skills – Individuals can develop critical thinking skills by pursuing public speaking classes. Since students, as well as professionals, need an ability to think critically as well as problem-solving skills, they can greatly benefit from these classes.
Analytical and research skills – Another great benefit of pursuing a speech communication class is that individuals can enhance their ability to conduct research and use their analytical skills. Since public speakers are required to provide evidence for the facts that they mention in their speeches, research and analytical skills are automatically strengthened.
Improving verbal as well as non-verbal skills – Another benefit of taking public speaking lessons is that individuals can improve their verbal and non-verbal skills. These help you to practice your communication skills, whether you’re speaking for the first time or have experience with public speaking. Sometimes, people who are speaking in public settings tend to pause too often or twirl their hair or mispronounce words repeatedly, without realizing. To overcome these tiny mistakes, a public speech course can be helpful.
Overcoming fear of public speaking – One of the most important benefits of pursuing speaking courses is overcoming the fear of public speaking. Most people experience some form of anxiety when they’re supposed to speak in public. Through public speaking workshops, they can learn various strategies to reduce their anxiety and become more confident.

We have compiled below a list of the best public speaking courses, certifications, training and classes online. These include both paid and free courses for individuals at all levels. Beginners can use these courses to quickly master the fundamentals of speaking. For seasoned speakers, these courses can help to better understand public speaking and push their skills to the next level.

This Dynamic Public Speaking specialization is a four-course training program offered by the University of Washington on Coursera. The goal of this program is to help learners increase their confidence and presence as a dynamic speaker. They are provided with the instruction, experience, and practice, to develop as well as deliver the best presentations. Each course offers theoretical knowledge about communication, linguistics, rhetoric as well as argumentation, along with speech practice.

The courses in this program teach the following skills:

How to organize talks clearly, and write them memorably
Rehearsal techniques to develop a strong and vibrant speaking voice
Dynamic movement and gestures for speech delivery
How to explain complex ideas vividly and accessibly
Designing clear and compelling presentation slides
Speaking dynamically from notes and/or a manuscript
Using rhetorical style strategically
How to persuade and motivate audience with solid arguments
How to incorporate evidence, storytelling, and humor in speech

By the end of the specialization, learners develop the experience and skills to design compelling presentations and deliver effective speeches for various purposes, occasions (workplace, special events, etc.), and audiences.

Key Highlights

Regarded as one of the best Coursera Public Speaking courses
Excellent fit for speakers at any level
Opportunity to design, practice as well as record speeches and also receive feedback on the same, from the educators
Learn delivery techniques for voice, movement, and gesture that engage audiences
Master speechwriting techniques for storytelling, argument, style, topic framing, and discussing evidence
The skills learnt can be applied in academic as well as professional setting
On successful completion of the program, all participants would receive a shareable certificate
Learners can take the courses as per their schedule
The specialization is available in English, with English, French, Italian, Vietnamese, Spanish, German, Russian, and Arabic subtitles

Duration : 5 months, 3 hours per week
Rating : 4.8
Sign up Here

If you are looking for a Udemy public speaking course, then The Complete Presentation and Public Speaking/Speech Course is the perfect option for you. It is the #1 Best Selling Presentation Skills Course on Udemy. The course has been developed and delivered by Chris Haroun, an award winning professor, TEDx Talk speaker, author & entrepreneur. It is a very thorough course that teaches everything about public speaking from scratch.

Organized as 12 modules, the course covers all that one needs to know to prepare and deliver a great speech in both business and personal settings. It is full of exercises, examples and templates to help learners work smarter and not harder when making a speech. The following are covered:

How to identify with the audience (your customer/target market)
Begin with the end goal in mind of your speech
What to include in your speech and how to structure it
How to create incredible content for your speech
Using the best body language
How to ace the Q&A session of your speech and answer literally any question
Appearance secrets from professional television/movie stars, what to wear, nutrition tips and more
Post presentation to dos

Key Highlights

It is a beginner-level course that anyone can pursue. No prior knowledge of public speaking or presentations is required
Individuals will learn how to increase their confidence, be more prepared, presentation skills, answer any question, post-presentation to-dos, and other such skills
Learners can take the entire course in order or choose to take up the topics that they’re interested
Access to 25 speech guides and well over 50 templates for every type of presentation/speech/public speaking occasion
Full lifetime access to all course content including future updates
Available in English with subtitles in other languages

Duration : 16 hours on-demand video
Rating : 4.5
Sign up Here

Another great public speaking online course on Udemy is the Complete Public Speaking Masterclass For Every Occasion by TJ Walker. With more than 550 lectures spread over 31 hours of video content, this is the one of the most comprehensive public speaking training online. In this course, participants will learn how to look comfortable, relaxed and confident when they have to speak in public, how to speak in a way to make a lasting impact on their audience, what to do according to the size of their audience, speak clearly and concisely and influence their audience.

The author of the course TJ Walker has over 30 years of experience in media training for Presidents, Prime Ministers and CEOs. He brings the same insights taught in his one-to-one programs to this online public speaking class making it suitable for every situation, audience and skill level.

There aren’t any prerequisites for this course. Learners only need to have the willingness to learn public speaking and get out of their comfort zone.

Key Highlights

Highest rated Udemy Public Speaking course
Learn how to train, prepare, prep and rehearse for every speech
Master the art of messaging, answering questions, and most important, how to package and deliver your message to your audience
Anyone at any level can pursue this public speaking course for beginners to learn basic to advanced public speaking
Full lifetime access to all video content, articles and downloadable resources
100% money back guarantee from Udemy

Duration : 31 hours on-demand video
Rating : 4.5
Sign up Here

If you are looking for an edX public speaking course, this Public Speaking Certification by Rochester Institute of Technology is the best you’re going to get. It is part of the RITx’s Communication Skills Professional Certificate program.

With this course, you can study the methods that will help you reduce anxiety and build your confidence. You will learn how to customize a method so that you can succeed at public speaking. You get to learn the principles that are required for speaking in public formally, along with evidence, strategy, ethics, organization, use of language, delivery as well as using media aids for your speech or presentation.

The course is suitable for both beginners looking to learn public speaking skills and pros looking to brush up their skills. It is presented by Keith B. Jenkins, Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion at RIT.

Key Highlights

Build confidence as a speaker by learning how to use simple tools
Learn skills to prepare and deliver memorable presentations
Learn the basic elements of the speech communication process and how to apply them
Understand how to identify main and supporting ideas for your speech
Learn to critique other communicators using the principles of this course
Upon successfully completing the course, Get an official and verified certificate to add to your CV, resume, or LinkedIn profile
Self-paced learning to allow participants to progress at their own speed

Duration : 3 weeks, 4-6 hours per week
Rating : 4.5
Sign up Here

This course is offered by the University of California Irvine’s Division of Continuing Education. It is part of their Learn English: Advanced Academic Speaking and Listening Specialization. The course provides helpful tips for preparing and delivering effective speeches. Students learn to be more confident when speaking in front of an audience. They also learn how to organize a memorable presentation and present clear and concise facts. With several opportunities within the course to demonstrate the speaking and presentation skills learnt, participants gain the experience needed to give a speech in a classroom or on the job, or in any other public setting.

The course covers the following topics in four weekly modules:

Different types of presentations
How to structure your presentation
Developing and organizing ideas for your speech or presentation
Verbal and non-verbal delivery
Tips and tricks for presenting

Key Highlights

Gain confidence to deliver speeches and communicate clearly
Learn to create and deliver memorable presentations
Intermediate-level course with flexible deadlines so can be pursued at own speed
On successfully completing the course, you can earn a shareable certificate
As part of the course, learners get to record videos of themselves giving presentations that are assigned to them and they also receive feedback on the same
Option to audit the course for free. If you want to access the peer feedback and quizzes as well as get the certificate, you need to pay for it

Duration : Approx. 25 hours
Rating : 4.5
Sign up Here

Successful Presentation offered by the University of Colorado Boulder is one of the top online speaking classes on Coursera. This course is part of the Effective Communication: Writing, Design, and Presentation Specialization. The goal of this course is to help learners discover their power as a speaker and express it to the world.

In this course, Prof. William Kuskin presents practical videos and exercises to teach public speaking as well as presentation. There are four themes in the course – how to master your fear, how to develop a creative formula, how to use your verbal as well as body language, and how to read the room. The tips that he offers can help you find your power as a speaker and give excellent speeches and presentations.

Key Highlights

Learn practical formula for successful presentations that can be used for various presentation scenarios
Learn to focus your language to express your personal style of passion
Learn how to engage with your audience and how to deal with interruptions and hostility
Beginner-level course with no prerequisites
Flexible deadlines allowing participants to pursue the course at their convenience

Duration : Approx. 20 hours
Rating : 4.7
Sign up Here

This course offered by Macquarie University is a part of their Global MBA degree and is taught by Associate Professor Lawrence Ang, Department of Marketing, Macquarie Business School, and Arabella MacPherson, Director, Resonate Communications. The goal of this course is to teach learners to communicate effectively and persuade others successfully.

The course focuses on practical learning and includes several structured learning activities in addition to video lectures, such as quizzes, discussion prompts and written assessments that help participants to develop their capacity to communicate appropriately in different situational and cultural contexts. This sets the tone towards helping them become highly influential leaders.

The course comprises of 6 weekly modules that discuss the following:

Basic theory of persuasive communication, including models of information processing, motivational appeals, message acceptance, fast and slow decision making and rules of effective human interactions
Storytelling principles like shaping the beginning, building the middle, and making the ending powerful
Use of verbal and non-verbal cues and the techniques of matching and mirroring the body language
How to lead influential group conversation
How to prepare for stressful conversations and deal with objections and overcome resistance
How to pitch a brilliant idea

Key Highlights

Most highly rated Public Speaking training course on Coursera
Learn how to speak authentically, and how to quickly build and maintain rapport
Learn the power of impression management
Understand how to apply a range of different strategies to a variety of contexts to overcome resistance and find acceptance
Learn how to find the winning idea for your story and quickly connect to ideas in people’s mind

Duration : Approx. 18 hours
Rating : 4.8
Sign up Here

If you are looking for a free online public speaking course with a certificate, there are more than 400 courses on the LinkedIn Learning platform that you can choose from. Here, you can find courses for all levels from beginner to advanced, as per your requirements. These courses can be pursued for free, once learners purchase the membership on LinkedIn Learning platform. On completing a course, learners can download a shareable certificate that they can upload on their LinkedIn profile as well as on their CV or resume.

LinkedIn Learning offers a learning path – Develop Your Presentation Skills, which is a series of 7 courses that will help you to learn how to design presentations that will hold people’s attention, present your ideas with confidence, and engage an audience by presenting well‐organized material in an understandable format.

You may also take up individual courses that suit your learning needs. Some of the best public speaking certificate courses on LinkedIn Learning include the following:

Communicating with Confidence
By: Jeff Ansell
Duration: 1h 16m

Speaking Confidently and Effectively
By: Pete Mockaitis
Duration: 22m

Public Speaking Foundations
By: Laura Bergells
Duration: 1h 3m

Managing Your Anxiety While Presenting
By: Matt Abrahams
Duration: 25m

Performing under Pressure
By: Eddie Davila
Duration: 56m
Jodi Glickman on Pitching Yourself
By: Jodi Glickman
Duration: 15m

Own Your Voice: Improve Presentations and Executive Presence
By: genConnectU
Duration: 37m

Shane Snow on Storytelling
By: Shane Snow
Duration: 1h 8m

Overcoming Your Fear of Public Speaking
By: Todd Dewett
Duration: 19m

Creating and Giving Business Presentations
By: Tatiana Kolovou
Duration: 1h 8m

Master Confident Presentations
By: Chris Croft
Duration: 1h 50m

Delivery Tips for Speaking in Public
By: Daisy Lovelace
Duration: 31m

Key Highlights

Learn to be confident when presenting
Establish credibility as a speaker
Create professional and engaging PowerPoint presentations
Courses developed by expert professionals and instructors with extensive domain knowledge
Free trial for one month
Option to cancel anytime
Complete flexibility of timelines allowing one to pursue at their own speed and convenience

Duration : Self-Paced
Rating : 4.5
Sign up Here

Udemy offers a wide range of courses that you can use to learn public speaking online. With these courses, you can learn presentation skills, communication skills, and storytelling.

Some of the best public speaking classes on Udemy include –

Powerful Speaking by Julian Treasure, a 5-Time TED speaker – This course is of 1.5 hours and includes 19 lectures. It is for individuals of all levels.
The Complete Presentation and Public Speaking/Speech Course by Chris Haroun – This is a 16-hour course, consisting of 25 lectures, for individuals of all levels.
2021 Complete Public Speaking Masterclass For Every Occasion by TJ Walker – This course consists of 601 lectures, for individuals of all levels and can be completed in 31 hours.
Hacking Public Speaking by David Nihill – This course includes 4.5 hours of video lectures with 12 articles and is suitable for people of any experience level.
Speak Like a Pro: Public Speaking for Professionals by Jennifer Hennings – This is a NASBA CPE accredited course, with 1 hour of video and 17 downloadable resources. It also includes 1 practice test.

Key Highlights

Courses designed for all levels of individuals from beginner to seasoned speakers
Classes taught by real world experts
Learn the basic elements of great public speaking
Learn helpful tips on speaking in front of others
Learn risk free with 30 day money back guarantee offer by Udemy
Full access to all course materials for life along with any future updates
Earn a certificate of completion with each course
Learn at your own pace on mobile or desktop

Duration : Self-Paced
Rating : 4.5
Sign up Here

Skillshare is another great platform where you can pick free public speaking classes online. These classes from Skillshare cover a wide variety of topics, including the basics of public speaking, media training, presentation design, speaking on camera, communication skills and much more.

Some of the best public speaking training courses on Skillshare include –

Communication Skills: Become More Clear, Concise, & Confident – This is a 9 video lessons, 53 minutes course offered by Alex Lyon, to help develop communication skills and make an impact as a team leader and manager.
How to Speak Confidently on Camera: A Guide for Content Creators – If you are a content creator who’s looking for public speech training, this is your go-to course. It is a 75-minute course offered by Nathaniel Drew, for anyone at any level. There are 11 videos in the course from which you can learn to express yourself honestly and authentically, be comfortable and at ease in front of the camera and be confident, spontaneous, and authentic.
Intro to Public Speaking – Give a 5-Minute Talk without Dying – Another one of the best public speaking classes on Skillshare is this. It is a 9-lesson, 47-minute course wherein individuals can learn how to deliver their concept in highly visual slides, connect with their audience on a personal level, convey your idea and act, sound, and look like a professional while speaking in public.

Key Highlights

Public speaking lessons and tutorials taught by experts and pros in the field
Learn all about body language, confidence, voice improvement and presentation skills
Classes broken up into short lessons for ease of learning
Several hands on projects included for practice
Get access to an entire community of learners

Duration : Self-Paced
Rating : 4.5
Sign up Here

If you think that you can benefit by becoming an effective and polished public speaker and if you have the time to put in the efforts, then you should definitely consider pursuing one of these public speaking courses. You can learn highly valuable skills that will be useful in every situation.