COUniversity of Washington · on Coursera
Introduction to Public Speaking
Beginner English Professional CertificateFREE
Editor's Pick
Widely regarded as the best public-speaking course online — superb instructor, and the record-and-get-feedback approach is what actually builds the skill.
What you'll learn
Use a reliable model to prepare any speech
Structure persuasive and informative talks
Deliver with confidence and presence
Apply principles of classical rhetoric
Practise by recording and reviewing your speeches
Improve through structured feedback
This course includes
Yes
Certificate
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language
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Instructor
MM
Matt McGarrity
Coursera instructor
— learners— courses — instructor rating
Dr. Matt McGarrity is a teaching professor in the Communication Department at the University of Washington, specialising in public speaking and rhetoric. His public-speaking MOOCs have served over a million students across 160+ countries.
Requirements
- No prior experience required
Who this course is for
- Anyone who wants to speak more confidently
- Professionals giving presentations
- Students and aspiring leaders
About this provider
CO
Coursera
University-backed online learning platform. 142M learners, 7,000+ courses from 325+ institutions.
4.6 trust score
Frequently asked questions
It's frequently named the best — McGarrity's teaching is highly praised, and the course has reached over a million learners worldwide over a decade.
Yes — you can audit it free and take part in all the activities, including uploading speeches. A certificate is available with a subscription.
Yes — you record and upload speeches and receive feedback, which learners consistently call the most valuable part of the course.
None — it's built for complete beginners, including people who get nervous speaking, and gives you a repeatable model to lean on.
A practical model for preparing and delivering speeches, grounded in classical rhetoric but focused on real-world delivery rather than theory.