How to Find Public Speaking Classes That Are Right for You
Not all public speaking classes address what's actually holding you back. Learn how to find public speaking classes that work with your nervous system, not against it—and avoid the ones that ask you to perform instead of helping you speak as yourself.
You've decided you want to work on your public speaking. That's a big step.
Now you're looking at options. You are wondering, “How do I find public speaking classes near me?" You’re probably overwhelmed by all the public speaking classes online, courses, group programs, private coaching. And you're wondering: How do I know which one will actually work for me?
Here's what matters when you're choosing public speaking classes.
Most Public Speaking Classes Ask You to Become Someone Else
Traditional public speaking training teaches you to perform confidence. To stand a certain way. To gesture with your hands. To modulate your voice for maximum impact.
But here's the problem: When you try to become someone else, you lose access to what already works for you.
Your public speaking challenges aren't about not knowing the "right" techniques. You're already good at communication when you're comfortable. The struggle is situational—it shows up around authority figures, in high-stakes moments, with dominant personalities.
So when you're looking for public speaking classes, ask yourself: Is this training asking me to perform, or is it giving me tools to be more of myself? How can I find public speaking classes near me that will actually help improve my confidence?
What to Look for in Public Speaking Classes
The right public speaking class should address what's actually happening for you, not just surface-level tactics.
1. Does it address status anxiety?
If the class doesn't name the systemic and situational factors that cause speaking anxiety, it's not going to help you in the moments that matter most. You need training that acknowledges: You defer to authority even though you have the expertise. That's not a flaw—it's a response to real power dynamics.
Look for classes that understand the difference between general nervousness and the specific anxiety that shows up around senior leaders or dominant personalities.
2. Does it work with your nervous system, not against it?
Public speaking anxiety lives in your body. Your heart races. Your breath gets short. Your voice shakes.
Effective public speaking classes should give you tools to regulate your nervous system. Not to eliminate anxiety, but to stay present with it. Breathwork, grounding techniques, ways to anchor your attention in your body instead of your racing thoughts.
If the class is only focused on what to say and how to say it, without addressing the physical experience of anxiety, it's missing a crucial piece.
3. Does it teach frameworks instead of scripts?
Scripting reinforces the idea that you're not ready. That you need to prepare more, work harder, get it perfect before you can speak.
The right public speaking classes give you flexible frameworks you can access in the moment. Tools that help you think on your feet, not scripts that fall apart when someone asks an unexpected question.
4. Is it personalized to your voice?
Generic advice doesn't work because your challenges are specific. You might be great at presenting to your team but lose your words with executives. Or you might be fine with prepared remarks but panic when asked to speak off-the-cuff.
Look for classes that acknowledge your specific strengths and challenges. That build on what already works for you instead of trying to make you into a different kind of speaker.
Online vs. In-Person: What Actually Matters
You'll find public speaking classes in both formats. Here's what to consider:
In-person classes can give you the experience of speaking in front of people, which helps build the muscle. But they often require more time commitment and may not fit your schedule.
Online public speaking classes offer flexibility and can be just as effective—especially if they include live practice sessions where you can get real-time feedback. Many people actually prefer online classes because they can practice in a lower-stakes environment first.
The format matters less than the quality of the instruction and whether it addresses your specific challenges.
Group Classes vs. Private Coaching
Both can work. Here's how to decide:
Group public speaking classes work well if you learn from watching others and want community. The shared experience helps you realize you're not alone in this struggle. Many group programs are more affordable than private coaching.
Private coaching makes sense if you have specific, high-stakes presentations coming up, or if you need personalized attention on unique challenges. It's faster because everything is tailored to you.
Some programs offer both—a combination of group practice and individual coaching—which can give you the best of both approaches.
Red Flags to Watch For
Not all public speaking classes are created equal. Here are signs a class might not be right for you:
They promise to eliminate your anxiety. That's not realistic or even desirable. Anxiety is information. The goal is to work with it, not eliminate it.
They focus heavily on "executive presence" or performing confidence. This usually means they're asking you to adopt someone else's style instead of developing your own.
They don't address the systemic factors. If the class acts like your speaking anxiety is just a personal issue to fix, they're missing the bigger picture.
There's no practice component. You can't learn public speaking without actually speaking. If the class is all theory and no application, it won't translate to real situations.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign Up
When you're evaluating public speaking classes, ask:
What specific outcomes can I expect?
How does this training address speaking anxiety, not just speaking skills?
Will I have opportunities to practice and get feedback?
Is this personalized to my challenges, or is it one-size-fits-all?
What happens if I don't see results?
The right instructor will answer these questions directly and honestly.
Trust Your Gut
Here's the thing about finding public speaking classes: You know yourself better than anyone else.
If something feels off—if the approach doesn't resonate, if the instructor's style doesn't match yours, if the promise sounds too good to be true—listen to that.
The right public speaking training should feel like it's meeting you where you are. Not asking you to be someone else. Not promising quick fixes. But giving you practical tools that actually address what's happening when you try to speak in the moments that matter most.
You're not looking for public speaking classes because something is wrong with you. You're looking because you know your communication challenges are holding you back from the opportunities and impact you're ready for.
And that's worth investing in.
The right class will help you stop performing and start speaking. Will give you tools to stay present even when your nervous system is activated. Will help you align your voice with your values.
Not by making you into a different kind of person. But by giving you access to the speaker you already are when you're comfortable—even in uncomfortable situations.
Want to Know Your Patterns?
If you're wondering why speaking with confidence feels so elusive in certain moments—why you're brilliant with your team but tongue-tied with executives, why you can write clearly but speak in circles—it's not random.
There are specific patterns at play. And once you see them, you can shift them.
I created a free assessment to help you identify exactly how status anxiety shows up for you and what to do about it.
In 2 minutes, you'll discover:
Your specific communication pattern under pressure
Why certain rooms trigger your anxiety while others don't
Practical tools designed for your natural style (not generic "power poses")
How to access your expertise even when your nervous system is activated
The assessment gives you a personalized playbook based on how you actually communicate—not how someone else thinks you should.
Because the work isn't about becoming someone else. It's about being more fully yourself.
