Courses Developing Public Speaking Skills: How to Choose

We all know speaking in public can feel scary—heart races, palms sweat, and words suddenly seem like a foreign language. Trust me, you’re definitely not alone feeling nervous about stepping up to speak!

But the good news is, you’re about to find plenty of options to build your confidence, polish your skills, and become the speaker you never thought you could be. From free starter courses to specialized classes, there’s something that’ll totally match whatever you’re looking for.

Ready to check out what’s out there? Let’s dig right in!

1. Top Free Public Speaking Courses

If you’re part of the huge majority—yep, a shocking 77% of Americans—who dread standing up and speaking in front of others, free courses can be your best friend. Let’s talk about one of the most popular options out there: TJ Walker’s online class on Udemy. It’s free, easy to follow, and perfect for shaking off those nerves, boasting over 76,300 enrollments already.

Here’s a useful tip to really benefit from these free courses: film yourself giving quick, two-minute speeches on random topics (like explaining your breakfast routine), then review them for areas to improve. Sounds terrifying at first, I know, but trust me—this works wonders for spotting your quirks.

Another fantastic free course is available on Coursera. It covers basics like structuring speeches, storytelling, and managing stage fright. One trick I picked up from this course: visualize your most comfortable setting—for me, that’s hanging out at home with friends—as you’re speaking; it’ll make your voice sound relaxed and authentic.

Also, don’t sleep on edX’s offerings, often taught by leading universities. A bonus tip from their professors: try talking to a mirror to practice expressions and gestures—sounds goofy, but makes a huge difference.

2. Paid Programs for Advanced Skills

Already have the basics covered? Consider stepping up your game with some paid programs. These offer specialized skills and individual coaching that can genuinely change how confidently you speak in public.

A great example is the advanced public speaking masterclass by Chris Anderson on MasterClass. Here, you’ll learn powerful storytelling skills used by well-known TED Talk speakers—without the pressure of an actual TED stage.

A paid course can provide personalized feedback, and that’s incredibly helpful. You might not even realize you’re continuously saying “um” or nervously pacing the floor until an instructor gently points it out (speaking from personal embarrassment here).

When picking a paid class, check if it offers live webinars or 1-on-1 sessions. Real-time coaching helps you address issues specific to you, refining your speech much faster.

If you’re thinking about creating your own public speaking course (because heck, why not?), definitely check out this guide on how to create a Udemy course in just a weekend. It walks you through the process and makes launching your own program super manageable.

3. University Public Speaking Courses

Universities are noticing how essential public speaking is—so much so that many now offer public speaking courses that actually count towards credit. Sophia’s Public Speaking class, for example, has had nearly 20,000 completions and offers credits transferable to over 70 universities.

The cool thing about university courses is that they’re academically measurable, meaning you get actual graded feedback on your speeches. It might feel like you’re back in school (because, technically, you are), but it’s genuinely rewarding hearing professor-level comments.

These courses often include textbooks, quizzes, and interactive assignments, turning public speaking into an engaging learning experience rather than just a stressful chore. Plus, you earn college credits while improving critical skills—winner winner, right?

Check your local universities or community colleges—even online ones like Sophia or ASU—for their public speaking courses. It’s worth investing the time if you’re serious about career advancement or even if you’re aiming to overcome your fear for personal reasons.

And if you’re on the fence wondering, “Can I really create something academic myself?” then exploring how easy it can be to develop your own course might spark some inspiration and confidence.

4. Specialized Courses for Niche Skills

So you’ve nailed the basics but need something more tailored—maybe you’re preparing for a specific event, like a wedding toast or a crucial workplace presentation.

The good news is there’s a bunch of specialized courses that zoom in on very specific speaking situations.

Take Udemy, where you can find courses focused solely on wedding speeches, job interview presentations, or even elevator pitches for startups.

If you’re venturing into online teaching and need to create engaging educational videos, there’s a handy guide on how to make effective educational videos, perfect for anyone looking to boost their instructional communication skills.

Another good niche course is offered by LinkedIn Learning on virtual presentations—a skill that’s become way more relevant after the pandemic.

A quick trick from that course that stuck with me: always have a test run sharing your screen, practicing transitions, and troubleshooting tech issues beforehand.

5. Selecting the Right Public Speaking Course

Choosing the right public speaking course comes down to getting real about your goals first.

Not all courses serve the same purpose, so ask yourself: Do you need help reducing anxiety, structuring your speech content better, improving body language, or something niche?

Start by checking out reviews—if thousands of students gave it a thumbs up, that’s usually a solid sign it works.

For example, TJ Walker’s course earned a strong 4.2/5 rating with over 76,000 enrollments on Udemy, which speaks volumes about its practical value for overcoming speech anxiety.

Also, look for specifics in course descriptions—does it offer hands-on exercises, live coaching sessions, or personalized feedback?

If academic validation matters to you—say for career advancement—go for something measurable like Sophia’s university-level public speaking course which provides transferable college credits accepted by over 74 partner institutions.

Finally, don’t overlook free preview lessons if they’re available—it’s like sampling ice cream flavors before committing.

This way, you’ll see the instructor’s style and decide if they’re the right fit for you.

6. Building Confidence and Reducing Anxiety: Tips Beyond Courses

Courses help a lot, but if you still find yourself anxious about public speaking, some reliable strategies can get you over that mental hurdle.

The simplest is preparation—beyond writing the speech, spend extra time practicing out loud so it feels natural (yep, even practice your jokes).

Use recording apps to film your practices and rewatch later; you’ll easily pinpoint your nervous habits and can gradually address them.

Another trick: shift your thinking from “impressing perfect strangers” to just “talking with some friends.”

This mental shift tones down the stress and lets your natural voice shine through.

Didn’t work yet? Try power posing—yep, it’s goofy, but researchers found that standing confidently for two minutes before speaking can seriously boost self-assurance.

7. Measuring Your Public Speaking Progress

Wondering how to track if you’re actually improving?

The easiest way to measure your public speaking progress is by keeping a video log—record your speeches regularly—maybe one every couple of weeks.

Watch earlier recordings compared to recent ones, noting improvements in your voice clarity, pacing, gestures, and overall confidence.

You can also use a checklist: after each speech, rate yourself on factors like audience engagement, eye contact, body language, and flow.

Don’t just trust your own opinion—invite honest (but gentle) feedback from trusted friends or colleagues who won’t sugarcoat things too much.

Another approach is enrolling in courses or classes offering graded assignments, like those university-level public speaking courses from Sophia, where your improvement will literally show up in grades.

Seeing clear evidence of getting better will make you feel proud of yourself—plus, celebrating small wins always keeps motivation high.

8. Staying Consistent and Continuing to Improve

Public speaking isn’t a one-and-done skill—you’ve got to keep flexing those speaking muscles and regularly challenging yourself.

Look for “safe” opportunities to practice, like casual local meetups, Toastmasters events, community workshops, or volunteer presentations at work.

Schedule regular practice dates in your calendar, whether it’s weekly or monthly—whatever realistically fits your life.

If you’re interested in consistently improving as a speaker (or even sharing your experience by becoming an instructor), exploring various effective teaching strategies can be incredibly helpful for building stronger communication.

You can even team up with a friend for accountability, exchanging polite feedback, and having some genuine laughs along the way (my pal once correctly pointed out that I gesture too wildly when excited, knocking over a glass of water—yep, lesson learned).

Ultimately, consistency is key—not perfection—but sticking with it definitely helps nervous butterflies transform into confident performances.

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