Public Speaking Classes NYC, New York

Best Public Speaking Classes in NYC

Public speaking is the art of rhetoric, performing and giving presentations, speeches, and lectures in front of audiences. Public speaking is a skill that’s been around for thousands of years; since the time of Aristotle and Plato, the Ancient Greeks taught the devices of persuasion publicly within their universities. Since ancient times, public speaking has relied on the credibility of the speaker, conveying emotions and conducting scholarly research to write speeches. 

Public speaking today is a useful skill for conveying information and ideas to the audience. More importantly, public speaking has become highly important for career advancement, informing audiences, and persuading people to different sides on topics. Public speaking is important for multiple fields, such as education, healthcare, and technology. 

Why You Should Learn Public Speaking in NYC

Learning the art of public speaking is essential to leadership roles, communication-heavy jobs, and advanced careers in multiple fields. Public speaking can be nerve-wracking for shy souls. Still, the importance of facing fears and learning the skill leads to better employment opportunities in business, education, marketing, and economics. Keeping others informed is becoming a large part of our daily work lives, from providing lectures in a classroom to presenting pitches in business meetings and even discussing ideas with your boss. Communication is essential for many of us working from home or in a live corporate environment. Public speaking is also vital for boosting your confidence in front of a room of people, whether at the office or a conference.

Public speaking is an essential part of critical thinking and improving communication skills. Writing a speech to inform, entertain or persuade are often part of daily work lives across multiple disciplines. Improving communication skills is essential not only for work but at home as well. Another aspect of public speaking is creating connections and networking with people with similar interests. Expanding your professional network is a valuable opportunity to make friends and build relationships for business.

In-Person Public Speaking Classes & Schools in NYC

In-person public speaking classes and schools are available throughout the country, particularly in large metropolitan areas. New York City is home to several in-person public speaking classes, suitable for both the professional world and for storytellers. Several schools provide professional instruction on the art of public speaking. The positives of in-person public speaking courses include the ability to receive live feedback from instructors on what you do well and what you can improve on with communication and public speaking skills.

The first in-person public speaking workshop is Improve Your Public Speaking, taught by Balance Arts Center in the Chelsea area of Manhattan. The course focuses on training students’ speaking abilities, vocal quality, and stamina through various vocalizing exercises. The course offers the chance to practice one-on-one and in a group setting. The class is perfect for teachers, singers, actors, and other public speakers, starting at $75 per person. The Balance Arts Center focuses on principles of the Alexander technique, keeping body language, breath control, and clear communication in mind.

A more comprehensive course focused on career expansion and executive settings is the Effective Executive Speaking course in Midtown Manhattan. The class focuses on professional aspects of public speaking, from presentations to speeches, and the instructor provides techniques for conquering the fears of public speaking. The course identifies elements of an effective presentation, creates a speaker skills profile, and sets personal goals. The course lasts all day, starting at $2,795 per person, and is taught by the American Management Association.

Another course offered is Overcome Your Public Speaking Fear, taught by Zenspeak Public Speaking Center. The course begins at $425 per person, and the average class size is 15 people. The course is split into multiple sessions, focusing on hearing your voice, learning to stand in front of a group, utilizing gestures, movement, and impromptu speaking skills, and preparing speeches. The Zenspeak Center focuses on teaching clear, confident communication in a supportive environment, free of judgment. Programs can be customized to suit your needs, from presentations to speeches and interviews.

Virtual Public Speaking Classes & Schools

The differences between in-person and virtual public speaking classes are the flexible schedule and the comfortability of learning from your home office. The cost of materials must be considered when booking online courses, but the cost of workbooks and textbooks is usually included. The differences between in-person and virtual public speaking courses are the ability to ask questions and receive feedback from a live instructor. However, the upside of virtual public speaking courses is the ability to save time and take courses on your schedule from home.

A great beginner-friendly virtual course is Introduction to Public Speaking, taught by Improving Communications. The course is four hours long and delivered over Zoom and other supported platforms. The cost begins at $399 per person, with a focus on managing public speaking fears, increasing self-esteem, connecting with people, effectively sharing ideas, and developing a positive attitude necessary to become an effective public speaker. The average group size is 20 people. Improving Communications is an organization focused on improving public speaking and networking and provides a wide array of communication skills training. 

Another course for all levels of learners is The Art of Public Speaking, offered by the NLP Center of New York. The course is three hours long, beginning at $595 per person, and includes instruction focusing on speaking with authority, being present without fear, and making a lasting impression on your audience. The NLP Center focuses on communication skills and influencing others to convey their thoughts and ideas effectively. The course is perfect for presentations at work, speeches at family functions, and teaching courses. The course is taught by Josh Davis, author, and trainer at NLP, whose psychology papers have been published in the Wall Street Journal and Times of London. 

Private Group Public Speaking Classes in NYC

Private online group public speaking classes are available through bookings with CourseHorse. The benefits of booking through CourseHorse are the ability to modify group size, you’ll receive confirmation within 24 hours, and there are no additional booking fees. The online group public speaking courses are supported through Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack. The benefits of booking private online group public speaking classes are team-building, working on presentation and communication skills, and eliminating anxiety while speaking in front of others. 

Large groups can be accommodated in the private online group public speaking courses. One such workshop is Executive Presence, taught by Exec-Comm, a company that focuses on public speaking in the workplace and accessing public speaking through communication, clarity, and focus. The workshop focuses on the importance of communication skills in the global marketplace and making an impact on creating real change. The course focuses on interactive learning through understanding your personal brand, fueling your performance, using relational body language to foster connections, and appealing to all five senses while authentic delivering your message. The course starts at $575 per person and lasts for four hours, suitable for groups of 12 or more. 

For larger companies, the workshop Strategies for Developing Effective Presentation Skills, taught by the American Management Association, is great for groups of people of 20 or more. The AMA provides expert instruction by business professionals with experience in an engaging, live online format. The benefits of this workshop offer deep insights into the importance of tailoring your presentation to your audience, balancing verbal and nonverbal messages, and making effective visual aids and support materials. The seminar is given over three days, with tips and reminders between sessions. The workshop starts at $2,695 per person.