Best Public Speaking Classes Los Angeles, CA: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Learn More About Los Angeles Public Speaking Courses

Public speaking no longer means standing behind a microphone addressing a crowd through a PA system. While this is the best-known meaning, public speaking today can include everything from running a business meeting to leading a Zoom conference call.

Improving public speaking skills can benefit anyone, from experienced speakers to nervous novices. If you have to run meetings, give keynote addresses, or a wedding toast for your best friend, taking a speaking class can help you feel confident, mesmerize your listeners, and even answer questions from the audience. Consider some of the following additional reasons for improving your public speaking skills:

Reduce anxiety - Fear of public speaking, also known as glossophobia, canhinder anyone who has to give a talk. Practice and instruction can reduce anxiety and lead to better speaking experiences—for yourself and your audience.

Improve work relationships - It's hard to be yourself when you're not relaxed. Be yourself when you give a speech or presentation so colleagues will feel like they know you better.

Lead to other professional development - Speaking well can build confidence and self-esteem. As you grow in confidence, you may feel ready to take on more ambitious challenges in your career.

Are there Prerequisites to Learning Public Speaking?

There are no prerequisites for most public speaking courses, although some providers may offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level classes. Chances are that if you can speak at all, you can do so publicly—even if that means overcoming stage fright or fear of speaking. However, some schools and other course providers specify skills or equipment for a class. For example, you must have a reliable internet connection and basic computer literacy for an online program. Other requirements can include system-specific limits like using the PC or Mac platforms. Check course listings for any prerequisites and system requirements before enrolling.

Is it Difficult to Learn Public Speaking?

Public speaking is more challenging to do than to learn. Even the most experienced speakers can get stage fright, have difficulties with notes, or drop the ball on audience questions. While becoming great at public speaking may be challenging, it is achievable if you dedicate yourself to learning it. That means acquiring and honing a range of skills, including

Connecting with your listener or audience
Modulating your volume and pitch for the microphone or venue
Using appropriate body language and gestures
Proper breathing techniques
Pausing when needed, and avoiding filler words (um, you know)

It can take considerable practice to master these, and certain types of speaking also require persuasive language, using visual tools like PowerPoint, or fielding audience questions. An introductory public speaking course can get you well on your way to learning this unique skill set.

What Will You Learn in a Public Speaking course?

Just as there are different kinds of speakers, there are different kinds of public speaking courses. The tools and tips you learn in a two-hour workshop will vary from the broad range of skills and experience you gain from a five-day program. Some course providers mix professional speakers in with novices, which can lead to deeper insights for everyone. Expect to learn at least some of the following:

Creating and organizing a talk/presentation
Overcoming stage fright
Modulating and projecting your voice
Improving body language
Answering audience questions

Los Angeles Industries That Use Public Speaking

Los Angeles is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). This massive, populous region encompasses the Hollywood film industry, universities like the University of Southern California (USC), and a population of over 13 million.

Beyond the entertainment sector, LA and surrounding cities cover multiple industries:

Office & Administrative Support Occupations - Office and admin positions may not be a repository for public speakers, but presentation skills are often essential for these roles. Examples include customer service reps who deal with the public, assistant managers who deliver reports to executives, and public safety workers like 911 operators or fire dispatchers.

Sales & Related Occupations - Anyone in sales, marketing, public relations, or advertising should have good speaking skills, even those who use written materials for communication. Sales managers, public relations pros, and other advertising and marketing professionals all belong to this category.

Management Occupations - Non-sales management occupations include medical and health services managers, financial managers, high school principals, human resources managers, and other supervisory positions. These professionals typically need speaking skills to lead meetings, deliver presentations, or serve clients or customers.

Other top industries in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana MSA include healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing.

Public Speaking Jobs & Salaries in Los Angeles

Careers that require public speaking include public relations management positions, corporate training roles, and legal pros like lawyers. Some professionals who speak to groups need extensive formal training, whereas others may need only a short class to help reduce pre-speech anxiety. Salaries depend on location, industry or sector, experience, and education, among other factors.

Consider the following top-tier roles that require advanced public speaking skills.

Journalist - Journalism is an area where experienced professionals can make an above-average salary, especially in broadcast journalism. Journalists in Los Angeles typically earn about $67,000 to $121,000 annually, depending on title, qualifications, and experience.

Public Speaker - A Public Speaker, or Public Affairs Specialist, typically works in government, though others work for private companies. Their job can entail dealing with regulatory timelines, speaking to media during emergencies, or handling public relations issues. Public Speakers in Los Angeles earn an average salary of around $76,000 to $139,000 annually, depending on experience and education.

Keynote Speaker - When most people think of a term like Public Speaker, they mean a Keynote Speaker, not the Public Affairs Specialist role mentioned above. A Keynote Speaker may have another title, like Motivational or Inspirational Speaker. In the Los Angeles area, Keynote Speakers can expect to earn from $89,000 to around $161,000 annually.

University/College Professor - College and university professors are among the most respected professionals in the country, and many earn above-average salaries as well. Depending on their discipline, experience, and whether or not they have tenure, average annual salaries for professors in L.A. are about $106,000 to $193,000. Besides their teaching activities, some instructors must also deliver keynote speeches at professional conferences or conventions.

Attorney - Attorneys are highly respected professionals who earn salaries well above national averages. They may consult in areas ranging from taxes to immigration law, so many do not have to deliver arguments in court. However, any attorney should have excellent spoken and written communication skills. A Los Angeles area attorney commands an average annual salary from around $116,000 to $207,000.

Best Public Speaking Classes & Schools in Los Angeles

Many people prefer in-person classes to help them overcome their fear of public speaking, but others prefer live online training. You can find in-person and virtual public speaking courses with the Classes Near Me tool from Noble Desktop or search for classes in the L.A. area to keep it local.

The Leaders Institute—Fearless Presentations® Public Speaking Course

The Leaders Institute is an international company providing public speaking and presentation training workshops. Their Fearless Presentations® Public Speaking Course is an intensive two-day course for students ages 15 and older that helps overcome the fear of public speaking. Topics include reducing pre-speech nervousness, designing presentations without notes, and using PowerPoint or other visual aids.

This class is available in person in over 30 cities, including Los Angeles, or live online via teleconferencing. The Leaders Institute provides additional on-demand public speaking training and presentation education for private groups or individuals. Check course listings for more details.

Training Connection—Effective Presentations

The Effective Presentations class from Training Connection is open to students ages 14 and older and offers a one-day workshop covering all the ins and outs of how to give a speech or presentation. Topics include overcoming the fear of speaking (glossophobia), analyzing an audience, and choosing appropriate visual aids.

Training Connection keeps class sizes small to provide individualized attention. Graduates receive a certificate of completion and presentation manual and can benefit from Training Connection’s free (in-person) repeat policy. Current classes are available live online through teleconferencing.

Los Angeles Center of Photography—Environmental Storytelling (Hybrid Learning - Six Lessons)

Storytelling has become a bit of a buzzword in the business world, but it's essential to many presentations. While the Environmental Storytelling course from the Los Angeles School of Photography does not emphasize speaking over visuals, many photographers want to improve their storytelling and presentation skill set.

The program emphasizes finding and getting access to photo subjects, which can require the art of persuasion and a high degree of confidence. Other topics include effective storytelling techniques, how to approach a story, and working with local organizations.

Best Live Online Public Speaking Classes & Schools

Although some new speaking students prefer to attend in-person classes, a growing number choose live online training options instead. Virtual training can offer the same benefits as face-to-face training, but you can learn from the comfort of your home or office. Expert instructors can give you real-time answers to all your questions and can see or even share the screen with your permission. Consider some of these live online public speaking courses you can take from anywhere with an internet connection.

American Management Association—Strategies for Developing Effective Presentation Skills

The American Management Association International (AMA) is a non-profit organization that offers interactive, instructor-led courses live online. Their Strategies for Developing Effective Presentation Skills seminar gives adults 21 and over a solid foundation in verbal and non-verbal presentation skills over three days of learning. Topics include managing your environment, using visual aids, and fielding audience questions.

For over 100 years, the American Management Association has provided training in essential business topics like leadership, public speaking, and productivity. They offer certificate programs, certification exam preparation, and other seminars. Visit them on the web to learn more.

Improving Communications—Introduction to Public Speaking

Improving Communications is another respected course provider that hosts courses in virtual classrooms. Their Introduction to Public Speaking class is open to students ages 18 and older. It covers topics like managing pre-presentation anxiety, overcoming self-defeating behaviors, and building rapport with an audience.

Improving Communications focuses on business training for professionals, including leadership, customer service, and sales training. They also provide speakers for events, which can be a consideration for Introduction to Public Speaking graduates who want to launch speaking careers. Visit Improving Communications online to learn more.

Zenspeak - Public Speaking Center—Overcome Your Public Speaking Fear

Overcome Your Public Speaking Fear from Zenspeak Public Speaking Center is a beginner-level class open to speaking novices and experienced speakers alike. Whether you plan to be the best man giving your first wedding toast or a Toastmasters veteran, you can always find room to improve your public speaking and presentation skills. Overcome Your Public Speaking Fear teaches students to stand and deliver with confidence.

Zenspeak instructors guide Overcome Your Public Speaking Fear students through their first prepared speeches, and then attendees prepare and deliver a second, unassisted speech. Graduates from the 10-session program benefit from flexible scheduling and the option to schedule customized consultations. Please note that Zenspeak requires a $25 charge for the class workbook, which is available when you sign up. Check course listings for more information, including system requirements.

Corporate and On-site Public Speaking Training

Do you think your team would benefit from a group class? If so, corporate training might be the way to go. Noble Desktop provides onsite and live online business training, including topics like project management, MS Excel, Python, and SQL, to name a few. Either via teleconferencing platforms or in person at your company location, Noble Desktop delivers hands-on business training in a dynamic, engaging classroom experience.

If you want to give your employees more flexibility for when and where they expand their skills, Noble Desktop offers discount vouchers for its open-enrollment courses. Employers get a discount when purchasing Noble courses in bulk.

Want to learn more? Contact Noble Desktop via email for a free consultation today.

Top Certificate Programs

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Top Certificate Programs

Top Certificate Programs

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Top Certificate Programs

Top Courses

Zenspeak - Public Speaking Center Overcome Your Public Speaking Fear - Boston

Exec-Comm Executive Presence

Improving Communications Introduction to Public Speaking

Improving Communications Sales Presentation Skills

Learn Public Speaking

Training Connection Effective Presentations Not currently offered

Training Connection Effective Business Communication Not currently offered

Key Insights

Learn More About Los Angeles Public Speaking Courses

Are there Prerequisites to Learning Public Speaking?

Is it Difficult to Learn Public Speaking?

What Will You Learn in a Public Speaking course?

Los Angeles Industries That Use Public Speaking

Public Speaking Jobs & Salaries in Los Angeles

Best Public Speaking Classes & Schools in Los Angeles

Best Live Online Public Speaking Classes & Schools

Corporate and On-site Public Speaking Training

Los Angeles Public Speaking Courses by School

Zenspeak - Public Speaking Center

Overcome Your Public Speaking Fear - Boston

Exec-Comm

Executive Presence

Improving Communications

Introduction to Public Speaking

Sales Presentation Skills

Training Connection

Effective Presentations Not currently offered

Effective Business Communication Not currently offered

Los Angeles Public Speaking Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Public Speaking Training Locations in or Near Los Angeles

Training Connection Effective Presentations
Not currently offered

Training Connection Effective Business Communication
Not currently offered

Los Angeles Public Speaking
Corporate & Onsite Training