Public Speaking

It’s rare to find a management or mid-level position these days that doesn’t involve public speaking. While this may not always be a traditional speech made before a captive audience, public speaking is at the heart of every day operations for many organizations. Moreover, in today’s technology-driven workplace, communications, presentations and demonstrations given online to colleagues or potential clients are not only effective tools, but essential to success in many positions. The ability to articulate ideas, communicate clearly in a professional forum and introduce new concepts to broad audiences is essential to professional success. Public speaking is essential to success in any sales or management role, but will also prove extremely useful for any professional looking toward advancement in their current position.

The Public Speaking program helps students to set themselves apart from their peers and colleagues with polished, professional presentation skills that will be tapped by superiors for a variety of presentations, from bringing in prospective clients and ultimately close deals. This valuable program provides students with a basic understanding of public speaking and how to prepare and present a variety of speeches. Good public speaking skills are extremely rare and successful students will absolutely be set apart from their colleagues should they master the sills offered in this program. This program will also consider how to plan and design effective slideshow presentations using Microsoft's PowerPoint software. It includes practical tips and examples for mapping the presentation, incorporating research, using templates, selecting visual elements, and delivering the presentation.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of public speaking and speech delivery principles
• Analyze the delivery of other students’ speeches
• Perform audience analysis tasks
• Prepare speech topics and outlines
• Select supporting materials and presentation aids in speech preparation
• Prepare each of the components of a speech
• Prepare a variety of different speech types
• Define effective communication
• Describe the qualities of a well-designed slideshow presentation
• Identify common problems when using PowerPoint to design slideshows
• Differentiate between effective and ineffective PowerPoint slides
• Discuss the importance of having a clear purpose or goal for your presentation
• Explain the four components of goal-oriented communication
• Consider the importance of understanding your audience
• Conduct audience analysis
• Map your presentation using the "Forecast, Present, Echo" structure
• Incorporate research into your presentation
• Assess websites for reliability and credibility
• Use slideshow templates effectively
• Select images that are professional and well-designed
• Choose visually appealing colors and fonts
• Consider how design trends can be applied to slideshows
• Define the minimalist approach to design
• Identify the signs and symptoms of speaking anxiety
• Describe methods for managing speaking anxiety, including relaxation strategies
• Design a PowerPoint presentation that features recommended design principles
• Use Microsoft Office®

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

	National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Public Speaking (SPKG)
	Microsoft PowerPoint® Exam

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.