Speak with Confidence

Lesson plan

• 01
  Introduction

  Meet your host, award-winning journalist, author, and public speaker Celeste Headlee, and preview the lessons you’ll learn from our experts.

  This introduction teaches you that great speakers aren’t just born—anyone can learn to speak confidently. While breaking down the upcoming course lessons, our host discusses the potential benefits of improving your communication skills:

  • Well-spoken people earn more money
  • Great speakers are seen as natural leaders
  • Good conversations build happiness and strengthen relationships
  • Confident speakers are perceived as competent, intelligent, and likable

  
• 02
  Find your confidence

  How to push past the fear of raising your voice.

  This lesson explains how the fear of public speaking is rooted in social anxiety and provides you with practical ways to overcome it. A clinical psychologist will teach you exercises you can practice daily to become a more confident speaker, including:

  • The “five-pound weight” tactic
  • Tips for first dates and job interviews
  • Tips for first dates and job interviews What you can learn by speaking to strangers
  • Embarrassment inoculation

  1 practice exercise and 4 additional reading resources

  
• 03
  Know your strengths and weaknesses

  Determine how you can improve as a communicator.

  This lesson teaches you a few basic guidelines for improving your communication skills and delivery. A long-time TV and radio host explains why hard work, repetition, and feedback are critical to building confidence. You’ll also listen as a professional speaker and communications consultant critiques real-life students of this course and gives practical tips to tackle nervousness.

  Speaking self-assessment

  
• 04
  Discover the power of your voice

  Understand why your voice is your most valuable asset—and how to modify it to sound more confident.

  This lesson explains how you can use the powerful variations of your voice to become a more effective speaker. Two experts will explain the roots of the human voice and how you can modify yours to sound more attractive to yourself and others. You’ll learn how to vary the speed, volume, and other aspects of your voice while avoiding some common speaking mistakes. This lesson also explains why our voices are still the best form of communication we humans have.

  2 practice exercises

  
• 05
  Hone your voice

  Learn vocal techniques that will improve your delivery.

  This lesson familiarizes you with the many ways you can improve your voice. An expert vocal coach will teach you how to:

  • Calm your nerves
  • Rehearse effectively
  • Avoid filler words
  • Place emphasis with purpose
  • Breathe correctly while speaking
  • Prepare your voice for a presentation or speech

  3 practice exercises, in-app resources for improving your voice

  
• 06
  Overcome speech impediments

  Learn how to speak up if you have a stutter and how to support those who do.

  In this lesson, you’ll learn that many famous people have overcome speech impediments. One successful public speaker describes his proven strategies for speaking more confidently with a stutter and learning to embrace it. You’ll also learn what to do (and not do) when speaking with people who have speech impediments.

  2 practice exercises

  
• 07
  Prepare what you’ll say

  Understand the elements of a great speech.

  In this lesson, you’ll learn from award-winning public speakers and one of President Barack Obama’s speechwriters how to put pen to paper and connect with your audience. They’ll cover techniques and advice for writing a great speech from scratch, including:

  • How to start writing with a “Shitty First Draft”
  • Why a central message is key
  • How to edit
  • How to consider your audience as you prepare
  • How to ask for feedback and refine your speech
  • When to tell a joke (or not)
  • When you should shorten your speech

  Speech writing checklist

  
• 08
  Create a story arc

  Learn why stories captivate our brains and how to tell a good one.

  This lesson will teach you how to create a great story and then transform it into a great speech. An expert storyteller will discuss tips for creating your story arc and presenting it before a live audience, including how to:

  • Break your story into scenes
  • Create stakes to get your audience invested
  • Tell the story in your own voice
  • Avoid common storytelling mistakes

  1 practice exercise, 5 links for further study, and 4 reading suggestions

  
• 09
  Rehearse intentionally

  Determine your personal memorization and rehearsal strategy.

  This lesson familiarizes you with the most important part of becoming a confident speaker: practice. You’ll learn the best rehearsal techniques from professional public speakers, including how to:

  • Know if you should memorize (or not)
  • Perfect your voice through audio recording
  • Approximate your speaking environment
  • Practice in front of a live audience
  • Determine how much rehearsal time you’ll need

  3 practice exercises, 4 sources for further study, and 3 rehearsal tools

  
• 10
  Adopt a comfortable physical presence

  Learn how to use your body during a presentation.

  In this lesson, public speaking experts will teach you how to feel more comfortable and confident on stage—or wherever you’re giving your presentation or speech. You’ll learn how to:

  • Decide what to wear
  • Utilize eye contact while speaking
  • Practice using facial expressions to enhance your message
  • Use your hands on stage
  • Move around (or use a podium)

  3 practice exercises, and 4 sources for further study

  
• 11
  Perfect your delivery

  Connect with your audience and ensure your speech runs smoothly.

  In this lesson, you’ll learn to take care of the technicalities of speaking in order to perfect your delivery. Figuring out the details in advance will help you relax and feel prepared. Our experts will teach you how to:

  • Make a checklist for your speaking venue
  • Use vocal techniques to engage your audience
  • Recover from a mistake
  • Use slides to enhance your speech
  • Find an accountability partner

  Presentation checklist included

  
• 12
  Digital presentations

  Discover what changes when you present through a screen.

  In this lesson, you’ll learn from a professional vlogger how to look and speak confidently in an online meeting, video, or any digital presentation. You’ll learn to:

  • Perfect your posture
  • Create the ideal lighting and camera angle
  • Eliminate distractions
  • Connect with your audience as if they were in the room
  • Receive and incorporate feedback from others

  Digital presentation checklist included

  
• 13
  Better conversations

  Understand what makes a great conversation—and what can kill it.

  This lesson explains how having conversations can make you a more confident public speaker. Several professional speakers will teach you how to become a better conversationalist using active listening skills. You’ll learn tips for creating powerful connections, including how to:

  • Give someone your full attention
  • Practice active listening
  • Ask open-ended questions
  • Get used to saying “I don’t know”
  • Maintain a well-balanced conversation

  1 practice exercise and 5 sources for further study

  
• 14
  Conquer difficult conversations

  How to handle tough talks.

  This lesson teaches you tactics for turning difficult conversations into great conversations. A communication expert will give you step-by-step guidelines for having productive discussions rather than arguments. You’ll learn how to keep practicing active listening, remain curious instead of confrontational, and stick it out when things get frustrating.

  2 practice exercises and 5 sources for further study

  
• 15
  Business conversations

  Learn how to master your next job interview or networking event.

  This lesson focuses on improving your communication skills in business settings. A top networking expert and connection creator will teach you the exact steps for successfully navigating your next job interview. You’ll also learn tactics for handling networking events like a pro, including how to start (and exit) a conversation, how to make a lasting impression, and how to follow up afterward.

  1 practice exercise and 3 sources for further study

  
• 16
  Communicate across cultures

  Discover which communication skills are universal and which can get lost in translation.

  This lesson will familiarize you with the basics of cross-cultural communication, including how to listen and learn about a new culture, how to let go of your assumptions, and how to handle mistakes. You’ll also learn how to:

  1 practice exercise and 4 sources for further study

  
• 17
  Improve your skills

  How to progress once you’ve got the basics down.

  In this final lesson, you’ll recap the most important things you learned in this course so you can continue practicing, improving, and growing more confident in your speaking abilities. Our host will remind you why, scientifically speaking, there’s less of a reason to fear public speaking than you think!

  2 practice exercises and 1 source for further study