Best Online Courses For Public Speaking Confidence

The first time I had to speak in public, I almost shit my pants. I was nervous and scared.  I was 11 years old, and I had been challenged to take on one of the seven words of the cross for a “Good-Friday” service. The internet was not available in my part of the world at that time, and there weren’t  many tips.
I remember the only advice my dad gave me was, “Just look above everybody, and look at me”. He sat all the way in the back of the Church.

All these years later, public speaking still tends to send many folks into a heart-pounding frenzy. Picture this: your palms get sweaty just thinking about stepping up to a stage or speaking during a big meeting. If you’ve ever felt like a rampaging squirrel was running a marathon inside your chest, you’re definitely not alone. Would you believe that around 75% of people would rather tango with their worst fears than speak up in front of a crowd? That’s right; the prospect of talking in front of others is scarier for many than snakes or even heights!

I remember the first time I had to give a presentation in front of a large audience. My notes might as well have been written in hieroglyphics, and when I looked up, the only thing I could feel was sheer panic. Sound familiar? It’s a common story, but why does it happen to so many of us?

The roots of this fear are deep within our psychology. Our brains see an audience and instantly conjure images of judgment, criticism, and social rejection. Yikes! It doesn’t help that our physiology follows suit, with rapid heartbeats, shaky voices, and sometimes an overwhelming urge to run away.

The good news? Confidence isn’t some mystical gift bestowed at birth, but a skill we can all develop. With the right tools and mindset, anyone can transform those sweaty palms and racing heart into moments of triumph. It’s about understanding the mind’s tricks and learning how to calm the body.

Imagine your brain as a mischievous little gremlin that loves sabotaging your spotlight moments. By recognizing these patterns, you can start rewiring those anxious impulses. Building confidence in public speaking is like treating your nerves to a workout. Little by little, it becomes easier, and before you know it, you’re up there, speaking like a seasoned pro.

Defining the Best: What Makes a Public Speaking Course Effective?

Choosing an effective public speaking course can feel a bit like dating—there are plenty of fish in the sea, but you want to find the one that’s just right for you. With a plethora of options out there, pinpointing the right course comes down to understanding what really makes a course effective.

First off, let’s talk practicality versus theory. A killer public speaking course should strike a balance between imparting knowledge and offering practical exercises. Sure, nerding out on the theories of oration has its benefits, but let’s face it, you need to step off the bench and start practicing those speeches. It’s all about how you apply what you learn!

Instructor credibility is another biggie. You wouldn’t want a swimming coach who can’t swim, right? Same goes for public speaking courses. Look out for instructors with industry experience and a track record of transforming nervous nellies into confident communicators. This gives you assurance that you’re learning from someone who knows their stuff inside and out.

Next up is customization. Different strokes for different folks, as they say, and public speaking courses should cater to varying needs and styles. Maybe you’re an introvert dreading the spotlight, or someone who’s been called “too salesy” with words. The best courses are those tailored to meet you where you’re at and support your specific goals.

Lastly, consider the delivery format. Online courses bring flexibility, letting you learn at your own pace and space. Some even provide opportunities for live interaction, but if you’re someone who thrives on in-person energy, an offline workshop might be your scene.

Selecting the right course means matching it with your growth trajectory and personal preferences. Think about what you want to achieve and how you prefer to learn. Whether you need a nurturing environment or a boot camp-style kick in the pants, there’s a course out there ready to convert your fluttering nerves into confident strides.

Top Online Courses to Build Your Speaking Confidence

Time to spotlight some online courses that can really unleash your inner speaker beast. Here’s a lineup of heavy-hitters that cater to a range of styles and aspirations.

Beginner-Level Courses

Dynamic Public Speaking – University of Washington (Coursera)

Platform/Institution: Coursera – University of Washington (Free to audit; Paid certificate available)
Instructor: Dr. Matt McGarrity, Principal Lecturer in UW’s Communication Department and founder of the UW Speaking Center​. He is an award-winning public speaking educator and researcher.

Course Overview & Objectives: This is a comprehensive four-course specialization that takes you from the fundamentals to advanced public speaking techniques. It starts by teaching a reliable model for preparing and delivering presentations – covering how to organize your talks clearly, write memorable speeches, and present with confident body language​.

As the courses progress, you’ll learn to speak informatively on complex ideas, design dynamic visual aids, and develop skills for persuasive and inspirational speeches. Throughout the program you get ample practice by recording speeches and receiving peer feedback, which helps in gradually reducing stage fright and building real-world speaking experience.​

In short, by completing this specialization you will be able to design compelling content and deliver it with clarity and poise in any professional context.

Why This Course Is a Top Choice: Dynamic Public Speaking is often cited as one of the best starter programs for professionals because of its thorough curriculum and practical approach. It caters to nervous beginners and experienced speakers alike by blending communication theory with hands-on practice​. Dr. McGarrity’s expertise and engaging teaching style make the lessons accessible and enjoyable. With tens of thousands of learners enrolled and a stellar 4.8 out of 5 average rating​, this Coursera specialization has proven effective in helping people gain confidence and polish their public speaking skills for business presentations, team meetings, or conferences. It’s a self-paced, flexible course and free to join in audit mode, making it an excellent professional development investment for anyone looking to overcome public speaking anxiety and become a persuasive speaker.

Key Learnings and Takeaways:​

• How to structure presentations clearly and logically, with strong openings and conclusions that engage the audience.

• Techniques to write speeches that are memorable and impactful, and deliver them with confident vocal and physical presence.

• Strategies for informative speaking (explaining complex ideas in an understandable way) and persuasive speaking (crafting arguments to motivate audiences), including use of visual aids and storytelling.

• Practice in different speech types – from ceremonial/motivational speeches to business proposals – so you can adapt your speaking style to any occasion while managing speech anxiety.

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Public Speaking for Non-Native English Speakers – LinkedIn Learning (also available via Degreed for enterprises)

Platform/Institution: LinkedIn Learning (Professional development course, ~2 hours, certificate upon completion)
Instructor: Peter Novak – Professor, stage director, and classically trained actor with a focus on inclusive communication​. He co-founded a Performing Arts and Social Justice program at University of San Francisco, and specializes in helping non-native speakers communicate clearly in English.

Course Overview & Objectives: This course is tailored specifically for professionals who are non-native English speakers and want to speak more confidently and clearly in business settings. It addresses unique challenges like accent reduction, speech clarity, and overcoming bias so that your ideas shine through.

The lessons provide step-by-step guidance on “scoring” a speech script for delivery – marking it up to practice pitch, pace, and pauses – to sound natural and engaging​. You will learn techniques to increase understandability (for example, focusing on pronunciation of key sounds) and exercises to manage nerves, such as breathing techniques for calming anxiety​.

By the end, you’ll have tools to deliver presentations or speak in meetings with greater ease, despite English being your second language.

Why This Course Is a Top Choice: Public Speaking for Non-Native English Speakers is a top pick because it fills an important niche – helping fluent but hesitant English speakers gain confidence. Many professionals around the world have strong ideas but worry that an accent or imperfect English might hold them back. The course tackles that fear head-on with practical tips and an encouraging approach. Peter Novak’s background in theater and linguistics adds a unique flair: he brings an inclusive, science-backed method to improving pronunciation and delivery without trying to “erase” anyone’s natural voice​.

The course is concise (about 2 hours) and actionable, making it perfect for busy professionals. It’s frequently included in corporate learning paths (for example, on platforms like Degreed) because of its effectiveness in quickly boosting speakers’ confidence and clarity. If English isn’t your first language and you want to speak up in meetings or presentations with more confidence, this course provides an ideal starting point.

Key Learnings and Takeaways:​

• How to neutralize accent bias and improve listener-friendly speech – you’ll practice enunciating clearly so that audiences focus on your message, not your accent.

• A step-by-step method for delivering speeches confidently: from annotating your script for tone and emphasis, to mastering pacing and inflection so you sound natural and engaging.

• Tools and exercises for managing speaking anxiety, including breathing techniques (like the 4-7-8 breathing exercise) and tech resources (speech-to-text tools, pronunciation apps) to help you prepare and calm your nerves​.

• Inclusive communication principles that empower you to embrace your identity as a non-native speaker while still communicating professionally and effectively in English.

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Intermediate and Advanced-Level Courses

Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking – Harvard University Online

Platform/Institution: edX – HarvardX (Free to audit; Paid certificate available)
Instructor: James Engell, Professor of English at Harvard University, who teaches Harvard College’s famous “Elements of Rhetoric” course (upon which this online course is based)​. He is an expert in classical rhetoric and persuasive communication.

Course Overview & Objectives: This course offers a deep dive into the art of persuasion, blending writing and speaking skills. It’s ideal for professionals who have basic presentation skills and now want to sharpen the content and strategy of their speeches. You will learn to analyze and apply classic rhetorical techniques used by history’s great speakers and writers​.

The curriculum guides you through distinguishing argument structure from stylistic rhetoric, so you can craft messages that are both logical and compelling. Key assignments include writing persuasive editorials and short speeches, which train you to form strong arguments and deliver them convincingly​. By evaluating famous speeches and identifying logical fallacies, you also become a more critical listener – recognizing when someone is trying to persuade you and how they’re doing it​.

Overall, the course’s learning objectives center on making you a more persuasive communicator who can inspire and convince an audience in a credible way.

Why This Course Is a Top Choice: Harvard’s Rhetoric course stands out as a top choice for those looking to elevate their speaking from competent to truly influential. Unlike many presentation-skills courses, this one zeroes in on confidence through mastery of content – the idea that when you know your argument is rock-solid, you can speak about it with authority and poise. Learners praise the course for providing an Ivy League caliber curriculum in a flexible online format. It has over 700,000 enrollments and maintains a high rating (4.6/5.0)​.  By the end, professionals often feel more empowered to craft impactful business proposals, pitches, or public speeches, because they can structure persuasive arguments and employ rhetorical devices effectively. If you want to confidently sell an idea or lead an initiative at work, the classical principles taught here will give you an edge in any presentation or negotiation.

Key Learnings and Takeaways:​

• How to use rhetorical devices (like ethos, pathos, logos, metaphors, etc.) in both writing and speaking to make your messages more convincing and memorable.

• The difference between simply having an argument and using rhetoric – you’ll learn to structure logical arguments and then enhance them with persuasive language and delivery techniques​

• Skills to write persuasive content (such as opinion pieces or speech scripts) and evaluate the strength of arguments, including spotting common logical fallacies that weaken credibility​

• Insight from classic speeches and texts – by studying and emulating effective examples, you’ll gain confidence in your own ability to sway an audience, whether in a boardroom presentation or a public forum.

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PUBLIC SPEAKING: How to Open & Close Presentations Like a Boss – Skillshare

Platform/Institution: Skillshare (Online class, ~1 hour, available with Skillshare subscription/free trial)
Instructor: Alex Lyon – Communication professor, consultant, and speaker with nearly 20 years of experience​. He also runs a popular YouTube channel on communication skills and is the author of a book on leadership and communication (2016).

Course Overview & Objectives: This is a short, focused course aimed at speakers who have some experience but want to take their presentation openings and closings to the next level. As the title suggests, it zeroes in on the critical first and last moments of a presentation – the parts that most influence your audience’s first impression and lasting takeaway. The class breaks down what makes a strong opening (for example, using a powerful quote or a surprising statistic) and a strong closing (such as a memorable call-to-action or story)​. Alex Lyon demonstrates numerous specific techniques for opening and closing, and explains the psychology behind them (drawing on the primacy and recency effect, which is the idea that people remember the first and last things they hear most​. You’ll learn how to start with impact – maybe with a relatable story or a question to the audience – and how to finish your speech confidently and decisively. By the end of this bite-sized class, you will have a toolkit of methods to make any presentation introduction more engaging and every conclusion more inspiring.

Why This Course Is a Top Choice: Many speakers, even confident ones, struggle with how to grab the audience’s attention at the start and leave a strong final impression. This Skillshare course is a top pick because it addresses that gap in a practical, actionable way. It’s taught in a concise format that’s easy to fit into a busy schedule (just about an hour long), yet it’s packed with pro tips. Alex Lyon’s background as a professor and coach comes through in his clear explanations and real-world examples, making the lessons immediately applicable. Learners who take this course often report feeling a boost in confidence the next time they present, because they no longer dread the opening or closing moments. Instead, they have go-to strategies to engage the room from the first word and to close with confidence. For an intermediate speaker looking to polish their presentation style, this class offers quick wins that can dramatically elevate the professionalism of your talks. It’s an excellent supplement to broader public speaking courses, honing in on skills that help you start and finish every presentation like a pro.

Key Learnings and Takeaways:​

• A variety of techniques to open a presentation strongly – including telling a compelling story, posing a thought-provoking question, sharing a striking statistic, or using a relevant quotation or humor to break the ice.

• Techniques for closing a presentation effectively, such as circling back to your opening theme (for symmetry), ending with a powerful quote or call-to-action, or summarizing key points in a memorable way.

• Understanding the primacy and recency effect – why beginnings and endings matter so much – and how to leverage that knowledge to make your content stick in the audience’s mind​.

• “Pro tips” for smoothly linking your opening into the body of your presentation and transitioning into the Q&A or conclusion, ensuring you appear composed and confident from start to finish. (The course even covers advanced tricks like “stacking” openings and combining techniques for a unique effect.}

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Public Speaking and Presentations Pro: No Beginners Allowed! – Udemy

Platform/Institution: Udemy (Paid course, often on discount; ~4.5 hours of video content)
Instructor: Jason Teteak – A TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and professional public speaking coach​. He founded the company Rule the Room Public Speaking. With over 50 training programs developed and a popular book Rule the Room (2013), Teteak specializes in transforming good speakers into great presenters.

Course Overview & Objectives: This is an advanced-level masterclass designed for those who already have some public speaking experience and want to push their skills to a truly professional level. The course reveals 117 advanced speaking and presentation techniques used by top speakers and thought leaders​.

These range from fine-tuning your delivery (voice modulation, body language, use of humor) to sophisticated planning strategies (audience analysis, handling Q&A, and moderating your talk’s timing). Early modules focus on building confidence and conquering any lingering stage fear – including tips for managing adrenaline and projecting authority right from your introduction​.

Then it moves into creating a memorable audience experience: you learn to identify different audience types and goals, tailor your content accordingly, and keep people engaged throughout. Practical sections on slide design and PowerPoint best practices are included to ensure your visuals enhance your message​.

The course is very comprehensive, effectively a deep toolkit for speakers – by the end, you’ll know how to craft and deliver a presentation that not only conveys information but also captivates and inspires your audience on a professional conference level.

Why This Course Is a Top Choice: For seasoned professionals, No Beginners Allowed! is a goldmine of advanced tips and insights. It has a high average rating (around 4.7/5.0 from thousands of learners​) and is frequently praised for its depth. One reason it stands out is Jason Teteak’s engaging teaching style – as an experienced coach, he shares a wealth of real-world examples and even mistakes he’s seen, which makes the lessons very concrete. This course is a top choice for improving confidence because it doesn’t just tell you what to do; it provides structured exercises and quizzes to practice each skill, building your confidence step by step. By covering everything from how to command the stage, interact with your audience, handle tough questions, to finishing a talk on time, you come away feeling prepared for any scenario.

Professionals who need to lead high-stakes presentations (like pitches to clients, keynote speeches, or important team briefings) will especially benefit. This course ensures that even if you’re already good at public speaking, you can truly master the craft and present with the polish of a TED-level speaker.

Key Learnings and Takeaways:​

• Audience-centric presentation design: How to research and understand your audience’s needs and goals, and then tailor your introduction and content to grab their attention from the outset​. You’ll learn to create a memorable audience experience, not just a one-way lecture.

• Advanced confidence-building techniques: Methods to project confidence even if you’re nervous – e.g. powerful ways to introduce yourself, mental tricks to overcome fear, and strategies to maintain poise if things go wrong.

• Polish your delivery: Professional tricks for body language (gestures, movement, eye contact) and voice (tone, pace, pausing) so that you appear natural and authoritative. Plus, how to use humor and storytelling appropriately to connect with the audience​.

• Handling logistics and Q&A like a pro: Learn how to design effective PowerPoint slides that complement your talk (not distract from it), and how to manage Q&A sessions or unexpected audience interruptions with calm and credibility​.  By mastering these, you ensure your presentation ends strongly and on time, leaving a positive, lasting impression.

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Each of these courses offers a unique angle on improving public speaking confidence – from broad foundational skills to targeted advanced techniques. Whether you’re a beginner who gets butterflies at the thought of presenting, or an experienced speaker aiming to refine specific aspects of your delivery, these top-rated online courses provide engaging, practical training to help you speak with greater confidence and impact. By investing time in one or more of these programs, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of public speaking in your professional life. Good luck, and happy learning!

What’s my best course on Public Speaking?

Well, mine is not exclusively focused on Public speaking; rather is a one and half hour YouTube Video on improving communications skills. This video my John C. Maxwell, has helped me greatly.

In this video, John Maxwell emphasizes the importance of communication skills, citing Warren Buffett’s belief that communication is the most valuable skill to develop. He shares four key laws of communication to help viewers improve their ability to connect and communicate effectively:

1. The Law of Connection: John stresses that communication is about others, not the speaker. He advises communicators to focus on the audience, understand their needs, and connect with them emotionally. He shares personal anecdotes, such as sitting in an empty auditorium to empathize with the audience’s perspective, to illustrate the importance of connection.
2. The Law of Visual Expression: He highlights the power of “show and tell” over just telling. He explains that using visual aids, body language, and facial expressions can significantly enhance communication. He shares examples, including using photos during a speech, to demonstrate how visuals can make a message more impactful.
3. The Law of Anticipation: Maxwell teaches that great communicators create anticipation in their audience. He shares techniques like using anticipation phrases (e.g., “I’m going to share something I’ve never shared before”) to engage listeners and make them eager to hear more.
4. The Law of Content: He then emphasizes that having meaningful content is crucial. He compares preparing a speech to assembling a puzzle, where each piece contributes to the overall message. He advises communicators to focus on delivering value and actionable insights to their audience.

Throughout the video, John C. Maxwell uses humor, personal stories, and practical examples to illustrate his points. He also stresses the importance of getting over oneself to truly connect with others, encouraging communicators to focus on the audience rather than their own performance.

Maxwell concludes by emphasizing that the ultimate goal of communication is to inspire action. He encourages viewers to apply what they learn, multiply their impact by sharing it with others, and continuously improve their communication skills. The video is both informative and engaging, offering actionable advice for anyone looking to become a better communicator.

Whether you’re just starting or leveling up, these courses offer pathways to build unshakable speaking confidence. Embrace the quirks, hiccups, and giggling fits along the way, because public speaking is as much about enjoying the ride as it is about reaching the destination.