20May 2024

Public Speaking Classes

Why would you want to attend a Public Speaking Class?
Maybe…
- You have a fundamental fear of speaking in front of people
- You can do it, but you know you could do it a lot better with a bit of guidance
- The thought of speaking is very daunting and you just want to develop some technique and reassurance and to build confidence
- You have successfully avoided presentations all your life and now your current job, upcoming promotion or future job prospects require that you can do it.
- The fear of Public Speaking has always hung over you and now it is time to slay that dragon!

5 things you should expect from the best Public Speaking class

The best Public Speaking class is all about doing

Anybody that tells you that you can learn how to swim without getting your feet wet,
or that you can invest time or money without any risk,
or that you can succeed in any worthwhile enterprise without some struggle
is probably not telling the full truth.

In Public Speaking,
you can do some practice in front of the mirror
you can pick up some tips on-line and
these days you might even find an AI ‘bot’ to give you some feedback,
but there is no substitute for repeatedly standing up in front of a group of people and putting it into practice.

Therefore in every ATAPS Public Speaking or Presentation skills course the emphasis is always on doing.
Any underlying theories or speaking principles are drawn out of the practical skills highlighted in each speaking exercise, rather than delivered as a passive PowerPoint presentation or as an undiluted lecture!
In fact, even if you do not remember or even understand the principles, but you can apply those tips to make you a better speaker, we have already succeeded.
The best Public Speaking class will always maintain a safe environment
The first thing we need to understand about nerves, anxiety and the worry about standing up and speaking is that we are not alone.
Standing up in front of others feels very exposed and so we need to feel safe and supported as we do so.
For many of us the nerves never go away.
Most experienced speakers have just learnt some effective thoughts and techniques to help them handle the situation and perform in spite of them.

Therefore the emphasis on every ATAPS course is very much on working together to ‘share’ experiences and lessons rather than just relying on ‘telling’ or ‘instructing’.
‘Safe’, of course, can mean different things to different people:
- safe from judgement or criticism
- safe to experiment
- safe to feel foolish

But, regardless, it must always mean 'safe to try'.

The best Public Speaking class will be structured around sensitive and constructive feedback
Proper learning always involves some form of feedback loop:
- trying something out – gathering feedback or reflecting on how it went – and trying again.
Feedback can come in many forms: from the trainer, from fellow students, from self-evaluation; from watching, listening and experimenting.

On every ATAPS course we make sure that all feedback is constructive, uplifting, practical and easy to apply.
Sometimes the right feedback is no more than enough encouragement to give the student the courage to try again.
The best Public Speaking class will centre on practical advice

Some students may want to know the reasoning or the theory behind each speaking tip and technique, others don’t care as long as it works.

A typical ATAPS training course will offer the student over 50 practical tips on Public Speaking that they can use and apply immediately.
Every suggestion is based on over 25 years’ personal practical experience of what works
(plus a few warnings against things that do not!).
The best Public Speaking class will be structured around clear, key messages
Every ATAPS course is flexible, adapting its content to the needs of the room,
but in each case it is structured to focus on three sets of skills.
- Key messages on how to come across as capable, controlled and confident
- Key messages on how to engage and relate to different audiences
- Key messages on how to prepare and structure a presentation

So, if you have any fear or anxiety at the thought of speaking in public or if you just want to learn how to do it better, I guarantee we have the experience, the tools and the track record to help you succeed.

The Art of Training and Public Speaking offers a range of programmes to help improve Public Speaking and Presentation Skills. For more details please look at:

2 Day Professional Public Speaking, certified course
https://www.ataps.co.uk/courses/professional-public-speaking-certified.html

1 Day Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
https://www.ataps.co.uk/courses/public-speaking-and-presentation-skills.html

1 Day Storytelling for Business and Training
https://www.ataps.co.uk/courses/storytelling-for-business-and-training.html

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Testimonials

Michael's superb training style is underpinned by an incredible depth of knowledge and experience. Like all true experts, he delivers what he knows with ease and simplicity, exampling the skills he is teaching as he does so.

Paddy McGuire, BBC

Very informative and great anecdotes which illustrated points and provided visual markers.

Catherine Murray, Girl Guiding

The most interesting training that I have ever taken part in! Experience + Wisdom + Perfect teaching approach.

Marta Panasiuk, Mintel

The training was spot on. He really listened to us and customised his responses throughout.

Jo Spiteri, Porchlight

Loved the creation of visual examples through the use of body and how relating the experience really helps demonstrate the message.

ACCA

Very approachable and motivational. So much information, brilliantly delivered.

Penny McLachlan, Coutts

Loads of great analogies and stories - very friendly and helpful.

Nik Byrne, Design Portfolio

Very approachable and knowledgeable and good use of examples to simplify the material.

Steve Sutherland, Confirmit

In just one day Michael was able to teach a class of children how to craft their own personal stories and experiences into powerful and engaging speeches that resonate with an adult audience as well as with a younger audience. It is a marvellous way to help them increase self-confidence and in the process - almost without them even realising it - become natural speakers and excellent communicators.

Matt Ball, Primary School Head Teacher

Michael has a style of speaking which draws the audience into his world, captivates them and leaves them with lasting memories of some of the descriptive phrases he has used and the information he has included. He also has the ability to pass the skills he uses in his own speaking on to those he trains.

Gwyneth Millard, National Education Director at Association of Speakers clubs

Very good rapport, attention to detail, individual support, positive atmosphere and encouragement - a great place for learning.

Carolyn Savage, Winter School Finder

• Very great example; how to express yourself, how to be engaging and how to match body language with what is said.

Public Speaking Classes