7 Free Public Speaking Courses and Tools That Will Help You Speak Like a Pro
Mastering public speaking skills can aid your career advancement, build self-confidence, and improve your ability to structure your thoughts. These skills are necessary not only for obvious candidates like actors, journalists, and lawyers but also for anyone wanting to get on in business or sales.
So how do I make a speech like a pro?
Have you ever seen a fantastic speaker who captivates your attention so much that you cannot help but listen? Do you aspire to be like that speaker?
The good news is that public speaking is a learned skill that anyone can master by enrolling in a public speaking course. Nowadays, there is also a wide range of free courses and tools available to help you achieve this goal.
#1 University of Washington’s “Introduction to Public Speaking”, on Coursera
The course is taught by Dr. Matt McGarrity. It spans 12 hours during which you will learn how to:
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Organize talks clearly;
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Write them memorably;
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Deliver them confidently;
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Reduce the fear of public speaking;
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Develop a strong speaking voice.
You will also learn how to use gestures and dynamic movements to make your speech more persuasive.
#2 Audiobook: “The Art of Public Speaking” by Dale Carnegie
This audiobook contains over 19 hours of useful information on public speaking. Among all other aspects of public speaking it teaches you how to:
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Convey confidence in large groups;
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Persuade people;
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Influence people.
#3 “Fundamental of Public Speaking” by Prof. Deborah Bridges, The University of Houston
The course is a series of seven 12-minute lectures designed as a distance learning course for COM1332.
It enables students to evaluate both peer and guest speaker performances to improve their critiquing abilities. It also aids in the proper development and delivery of informative and persuasive speeches.
#4 COMM101: Public Speaking
The course spans 92 hours and provides a certificate upon completion. It includes study of the elements of effective speech, the main aspects of public speaking, the characteristics of a speaker's verbal culture, and their impact on the preparation and presentation of material to the general public.
#5 “Talk the Talk: How to Give a Great Presentation”
This 6-week course is taught by Marshal B Anderson, and is designed for those who want to improve their public speaking skills.
It incorporates both theory and practice and will provide you with the skills and knowledge you'll need to create and deliver confident presentations and speeches.
#6 Metronome Beats
The art of public speaking entails not only what you say but also how you say it. If you speak too quickly or too slowly, it will have a significant detrimental impact on the outcome. For instance, speaking too quickly can make you appear nervous and insecure – regardless of whether you really are.
Metronome Beats will assist you in determining whether you are speaking at a comfortable pace for listeners. You can download it for both iOS and Android.
#7 UMMO App
If your speech is littered with words like "um," "uh," "like," "yeah," etc., you will be perceived as an amateur speaker. These fillers lessen the impact of your message.
The UMMO App will assist you in reducing the number of filler words in your vocabulary by tracking the number of "ums" and other filler words you use and enabling you to track your progress in eliminating them.
We hope that the free courses and tools listed above will help you become the best public speaker you can be. Good luck on your public speaking journey!
About the author:
James Baxter is a professional writer at essay reviews service, editor at top sites writing review services, and blogger, who loves sharing his experience and knowledge with readers. He is especially interested in marketing, blogging, and IT. James is always happy to visit different places and meet new people there.
