The Art of Public Speaking

About this course

The course examines how breath, presence, articulation and audience awareness affect spoken communication across presentations, online delivery and interpersonal settings. Participants explore oracy and rhetoric through historical, theoretical and contemporary examples, including Aristotle, Sophocles, TED Talks and TikTok. Teaching uses a theatre-based approach informed by actor training and embodied performance practice. Topics include persuasive presentations, storytelling, language and leadership, access to oracy, audience engagement and interview skills.

What you'll learn

• Apply techniques for clearer articulation, breath control and physical presence when speaking.
• Analyse principles of oracy, rhetoric and persuasive communication.
• Structure and deliver presentations intended to engage and influence an audience.
• Use storytelling approaches in spoken communication.
• Adapt communication for interviews, interpersonal exchanges, online delivery and public presentations.

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for learners at all levels who want to develop public speaking and communication skills. It is relevant to students, professionals, entrepreneurs, freelancers and jobseekers, particularly those preparing for interviews, leadership or public-facing work. The course involves studying alongside other professionals and considers several different speaking contexts.

• Relevant to interview preparation, leadership responsibilities, public-facing roles and networking situations.
• Covers communication in person, online, interpersonally and in formal presentations.

Before you go

• A Birkbeck certificate of participation is provided on completion.
• The course is non-credit bearing and carries no credit points.