Best Online Courses for Public Speaking Skills

Are you eager to master the art of delivering captivating speeches and presentations but unsure where to begin? You’re in the right place! We’ve evaluated the leading online public speaking courses to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the best platforms available.

Whether the thought of addressing a crowd fills you with anxiety or you’re seeking strategies to captivate your audience, our curated selection of top-notch online speaking classes is here to help you shine.

7 best public speaking classes and courses online

Explore the advantages and disadvantages, pricing, and unique features of top online public speaking classes and courses. This information will help you choose the options that align with your schedule, budget, and learning style.

LingualNeeds: Best public speaking classes overall

LingualNeeds specializes in providing personalized 1-on-1 online public speaking classes in multiple languages.

Price

Tutor-led lessons start at $10 an hour

Pros

• Flexible scheduling
• Classes available in 50 different languages
• Affordable pricing
• Professional multilingual instructors
• Customized learning plans and courses

Cons

• Not free

Features

LingualNeeds simplifies the process of finding qualified public speaking tutors who offer personalized one-on-one classes tailored to your specific goals.

Easily connect with the right instructors by utilizing our search filters to match your availability, specific learning needs, and budget. Once you’ve identified potential tutors, take a moment to explore their student reviews, ratings, and biographies. This will help you understand their teaching approach before reaching out with a private message to discuss how they can support your learning journey.

Before committing to a specific number of classes, consider booking a trial lesson with your instructor to see if they’re the right match for you. If your initial experience doesn’t meet your expectations, LingualNeeds offers a hassle-free teacher replacement at no extra cost!

After discovering your ideal tutor, you’ll receive a personalized learning plan tailored to your schedule and unique preferences. No matter which instructor you select from LingualNeeds, you can expect ample speaking practice, real-time, constructive feedback, and additional resources to enhance your skills outside of class.

If you’re looking to boost your public speaking skills in a foreign language, LingualNeeds has you covered! Their mobile app and website feature engaging grammar and listening comprehension exercises—key tools for effectively answering audience questions. Whether you’re preparing for a crucial presentation to wow clients in China or gearing up for a best-man speech, LingualNeeds is here to support your journey to success.

Dynamic public speaking course (by University of Washington at Coursera): Best self-study public speaking course

Are you in search of an online self-study speaking course crafted by experts? Look no further than the University of Washington’s Dynamic Public Speaking Course—a fantastic choice to enhance your speaking skills!

Price

Paid subscriptions for $39.99 a month or $399 a year

Pros

• Learn at your own pace
• Ability to study from anywhere

Cons

• No personalized 1-on-1 classes
• No customized feedback in real time

Features

Join this engaging Coursera course to enhance your presentation and speech delivery skills! Through a series of pre-recorded video lectures, you’ll discover the art of effective communication and persuasive rhetoric. To solidify your understanding, you’ll participate in interactive online activities designed to reinforce your newfound knowledge.

This course is divided into four engaging sections: “Introduction to Public Speaking,” “Speaking to Inform,” “Speaking to Persuade,” and “Speaking to Inspire.” Each part is designed to empower anxious speakers with essential skills for confident public speaking. However, please note that the course does not include direct instructor feedback or opportunities to practice speaking in front of peers or professionals.

While this self-study public speaking course offers extensive coverage of the subject, enrolling in tutor-led lessons can significantly enhance your presentation skills. These interactive sessions provide personalized feedback and insights that truly elevate your speaking abilities.

Oxford Online English: Best British public speaking courses

In addition to offering complimentary self-study resources, Oxford Online English allows you to schedule virtual speaking classes with native UK teachers through Skype or WhatsApp. This provides an excellent opportunity to enhance your English skills in a personalized setting!

Price

Free online materials, but 90-minute live tutoring sessions cost $47.99

Pros

• Free proficiency level test 
• Online grammar presentations

Cons

• Classes offered in English only
• Limited availability for live lessons
• Expensive option

Features

This English-learning website offers a variety of free pre-recorded presentations packed with valuable speaking tips. However, to truly elevate your public speaking skills on a personal level, you’ll need to schedule an online class with one of their experienced instructors.

While Oxford Online English offers live lessons, it comes with some drawbacks. All classes are priced the same, and the platform has a limited number of tutors, exclusively teaching in English. Additionally, it lacks instructor reviews or ratings, meaning you can’t select a tutor that aligns with your individual learning style. This stands in stark contrast to the flexibility and variety provided by LingualNeeds’s platform.

Communicating with confidence (at LinkedIn Learning): Best business public speaking course

Discover the art of effortless presentations with Jeff Ansell, a renowned Canadian journalist and media advisor, in this engaging pre-recorded public speaking course. Transform your business meetings into seamless experiences with expert tips and techniques that make presenting a breeze!

Price

One-time fee of $30.00

Pros

• Bite-sized lessons
• Progress quizzes

Cons

• No speaking practice 
• Only available in English

Features

If you find yourself among the many who dread public speaking in professional settings, this course is designed for you. You’ll explore dynamic presentations that introduce essential communication tools and strategies, all aimed at delivering quick results. By participating, you’ll gain the confidence you need to conquer your fears and communicate effectively.

In the course’s final chapter, you’ll see these concepts in action as the instructor demonstrates his techniques through two real-world scenarios. However, since this is a pre-recorded course, it’s essential to seek a personal tutor to practice and refine these methods with tailored support.

Public speaking (by Rochester Institute of Technology at edX): Best free public speaking course

Enhance your public speaking skills with a free online course from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). This course provides a thorough introduction to the essential principles of formal public speaking, equipping you with the tools you need to captivate your audience.

Price

Free

Pros

• Slow pace for novices
• No cost

Cons

• Lacks personalized feedback
• Inflexible start dates

Features

Join us for a transformative 3-week course designed to equip you with essential skills and practical tools to elevate your presentations. Through engaging lecture-style videos, you’ll learn how to effectively organize your content, choose impactful language, develop strategic approaches, deliver with confidence, and utilize media aids to enhance your message. Make your presentations unforgettable!

The learning program is designed to be flexible, requiring only 4-6 hours of your time each week while allowing you to progress at your own pace. However, keep in mind that enrollment is limited to two start dates each year: March 20 and July 17. Plan accordingly to embark on your educational journey!

While the course lacks opportunities for speaking practice and personalized guidance, it remains an excellent choice for those aiming to boost their confidence and deliver impactful speeches.

Complete public speaking masterclass for every occasion course (at Udemy): Best public speaking course for varied situations

The Complete Public Speaking Masterclass for Every Occasion offers valuable tips that equip you to excel in both formal and informal speaking situations. Whether you’re addressing a crowd or engaging in casual conversations, this course provides essential skills to enhance your public speaking abilities.

Price

One-time fee of $29.99

Pros

• Teaches you effective story-telling tips
• Downloadable materials

Cons

• Lacks a customized learning plan
• No personalized feedback

Features

Led by seasoned instructor TJ Walker, this comprehensive course explores more than 20 diverse public speaking scenarios, such as investor pitches, job interviews, and virtual conference calls. You’ll enhance your speaking skills through 31.5 hours of engaging video lessons, insightful articles, and valuable downloadable resources, equipping you to excel in any speaking situation.

While a pre-recorded course offers the convenience of self-paced learning, it does miss out on valuable human interaction and personalized feedback from an expert tutor, which can hinder your progress. However, if you’re seeking an affordable way to enhance your oratory skills, this option could be a great fit for you.

Intro to public speaking – give a 5-minute talk without dying (at Skillshare): Best public speaking course for beginners

Nick Armstrong, a seasoned TEDx speaker, has crafted an exceptional introductory course tailored for beginners eager to embark on their public speaking journey.

Price

Monthly subscription fee of $15

Pros

• Abundance of practical tips
• Engaging presenter

Cons

• Short duration (47 minutes)
• No personalized tutor guidance

Features

Join Nick Armstrong, the self-styled “Geek-in-Chief” of WTF Marketing, in this engaging course designed to sharpen your public speaking skills. With a clear step-by-step approach, he will guide you in confidently conveying your ideas to any audience.

Armstrong offers essential advice on recognizing and overcoming verbal and physical tics, finding free images for your slides, and presenting yourself with the professionalism that captivates an audience. These practical tips are invaluable for anyone preparing for their first speech or presentation.

Like other pre-recorded classes, this one only introduces the fundamentals and lacks opportunities for speaking practice or professional feedback. To enhance your speaking abilities effectively, we strongly recommend participating in tutor-led lessons before stepping onto the stage to address an audience.

How do online public speaking classes work?

Online public speaking classes vary widely based on the provider and their teaching methods. For example, self-paced courses often feature lecture-style videos that cover essential topics like body language techniques, effective speech strategies, and other valuable insights, allowing learners to master public speaking at their own convenience.

Live instructor-led lessons offer a more interactive experience, allowing you to actively engage with the material. In these classes, you’ll have the opportunity to practice techniques through role-playing exercises, receiving valuable feedback on your performance. This hands-on approach is essential for honing your public speaking skills—after all, the key to improvement is consistent practice!

In your first lesson, many teachers from LingualNeeds’s network will engage in a conversation to understand your goals and learning preferences while evaluating your current skill level. This personalized approach allows them to create a tailored learning plan designed to target your specific weaknesses, making your progress much more effective than traditional self-study methods.

Master public speaking with LingualNeeds

Interested in mastering the art of public speaking as efficiently as possible? Then sign up with LingualNeeds. 

With just a few clicks, this dynamic e-learning platform connects you to expert public speaking tutors who provide tailored one-on-one lessons and personalized resources. Whether you’re preparing for a presentation or aiming to enhance your overall speaking skills, these professionals will help you become a more confident and captivating speaker in any scenario.

Ready to elevate your public speaking skills? Join the thousands of students who have already transformed their abilities with LingualNeeds! Book your trial class today and take the first step toward becoming an elite communicator.