Public speaking courses help students develop the skills needed to speak in public. Most courses consist of theoretical and practical study. In theoretical study students may learn the different methods of delivering effective public speeches. They also may learn how to overcome the fear of public speaking, how to use body language and how to prepare and incorporate the use of PowerPoint presentations in the speech. The practical portion of the course consists of students creating outlines and making presentations to the instructor and classmates.
Objectives of a public speaking course include learning to confidently and convincingly speak in front of an audience using the theoretical and practical techniques. The student will also employ effective methods of research by preparing an effective outline of the presentation.
Activities are sometimes used in public speaking courses to make the students more comfortable and confident. Key-word speaking is an activity that teaches students to speak without memorization. Students are given index cards with a common word written on them and asked to speak to the class about that word. How-to demonstrations are another activity that is commonly used in public speaking courses. In this simple activity students are asked to give a short presentation to their classmates on how to perform a simple task.
There are several benefits for taking a public speaking course. These courses help students to build their confidence levels and overcome their fear of public speaking. Communication skills are improved as students learn to communicate ideas in personal, social and work interaction. Organizational skills are also improved as students learn to research and organize topics to make an executable speech.