Common Questions about Public Speaking Skills
General Questions
Becoming a great speaker is a journey. If you’re committed to practising your skills, you can make tremendous progress. Its very possible for clients to present with confidence after only four to six hours of one-to-one coaching but this all depends on the commitment and time you have to practice your skills.
Almost everyone who commits to the process and practising the skills learnt improves noticeably and often dramatically. We get the best results when people are committed and practice often between sessions.
Yes, for sure! I enjoy helping beginner speakers and seeing the relief and satisfaction they experience as they learn and practice new skills. A fear of public speaking can be crippling so overcoming this can open new opportunities both personally and professionally.
I work with speakers at all levels, from those who avoid public speaking at all costs to accomplished speakers that want to take their skills to the next level. My coaching is tailored to meet your needs and goals.
My work does not focus on language acquisition or development; however, I can support you to improve your presentation skills.
I do not offer help to change accents. The focus of the Speaking Coach is helping people to be heard and understood.
Remember that almost everyone gets nervous about public speaking to some degree. I can’t diagnose your anxiety or offer counselling but can help you tackle it through practical strategies and tools. You can then implement these in meetings or presentations allowing you to speak with confidence and clarity.
If you suffer anxiety when you meet new people, then you should consider some form of counselling first. I would encourage you to seek the advice of a qualified professional such as a Counsellor or psychologist about any social anxiety. I can then help build up your confidence in public speaking situations. Please feel free to contact me to discuss your needs and how I may be able to help.
We can assist year 9 – 13 college/high school students who want to improve their speaking skills. This can assist them at school and transitioning into the workforce or further study.
We recognise that building skills when young is important. I can refer you to other teachers who cater to younger children.
See here to view our programmes for Year 9 to 13 college/high school students.
Yes, we provide Customised training with a focus on staff putting ‘skills in action’. This can be delivered in-house at your workplace or our venue. Let us know your needs and we will develop a bespoke programme meet your requirements.
Adult one-to-one coaching
Please indicate your preferred consultation time on the online form here. Availability does vary so please contact me to see if a time you prefer is available. I have found evening time suits most clients and allows them to work around other commitments.
The Speaking Coach is based in Hamilton City, New Zealand and uses a modern training facility with presentation equipment and wifi available.
Our venue is a quiet, comfortable environment with wheelchair access and off-street parking, located close to the Hamilton CBD.
Yes, I offer coaching remotely using Zoom or Skype. It’s a great way to work it reduces travel time and cost and sessions can be recorded for your future reference.
I do not force you to do anything you don’t want to do, but the idea is to get you comfortable with presenting – after all that’s what I am here to help you with. We will start within your comfort zone and then gradually expand this.
I have found that ‘learning by doing’ is the best, most effective way to bring about changes in confidence and ability. I create a safe, supportive learning environment where people are encouraged to feel relaxed, motivated, and able to take risks.
Yes, please contact me so we can customise a two-on-one coaching package that matches your needs.
While there is value in practising impromptu speaking on random topics, that is something you can try later when you gain more confidence or if you wish to take up further consultations to develop this particular skill set.
My coaching can include exercises where you have limited preparation time, but they are focused on situations you may encounter in the workplace or at a meeting. If you are interested in impromptu speaking or are seeking to develop these skills I can assist you.
Where advance notice is available I encourage clients to give talks/speeches using an extemporaneous style – that is natural, planned, prepared and well connected to the audience.
My online courses cover most of the same material as the in-person courses, provide the same speaking opportunities, and are designed to be highly interactive (you won’t be ‘taught at’).
All consultation fees are non-refundable except in exceptional circumstances (e.g. bereavement, serious illness or Covid-19 restrictions).
With sufficient notice we can usually re-schedule you for a different time/day. Notice of cancellation is required at least 24 hours before the scheduled consultation time otherwise the full fee will be charged, except in exceptional circumstances (e.g. bereavement or serious illness).
For our six-week ‘Speaking toolkit’ course, fees are based on the understanding six weeks of consultations are arranged on set days each week. If a public holiday falls on a scheduled consultation date, we will re-schedule a catch-up consultation to ensure that you receive six coaching sessions. If you find you cannot make one of the sessions simply let us know at least 24 hours in advance and we will work with you to re-schedule it.
High school/college students
Our public speaking lessons are educational, engaging, skill focused and tailored to your child’s individual development and interests. We use exercises & activities to teach a range of skills relating to developing confidence in speaking and presenting.
For more information on what our lessons cover, please click here.
We do not offer trial classes as such; however, students may be able to come along to an existing class so they can get a feel for it – contact us to discuss. We are friendly and approachable and aim to put students at ease when they attend for the first time.
Yes! We welcome and encourage all students who can hold a conservation in English. Our programmes do not focus on language acquisition or development; however, we can support you to improve spoken communications skills.
Public Speaking classes are a great way for non-native English speakers to develop their speaking confidence. ESOL students can benefit from one-to-one coaching so we can give individual focus towards developing the ability and confidence to communicate fluently.
The Speaking Coach is based in Hamilton City, New Zealand and uses a modern training facility with presentation equipment and wifi available.
Our venue is a quiet, comfortable environment with wheelchair access and off-street parking, located close to the Hamilton CBD.
No, students are free to come in school uniform or any casual clothes they feel comfortable in.
Yes, we offer both Speech NZ and Trinity College London examinations. We believe it is useful for students to work towards a focused goal. Our students take pride from earning the badges and certificates. Our students find the examination experience is a positive experience and they learn a lot from it. Read more about exams here.
The Speaking Coach coaches are trained and experienced. Our coaches hold Diplomas in Speech and Drama or Public Speaking from Trinity College London and/or Speech NZ. Check out the qualifications of the Lead Coach here.
Enrolment & prices
Adult One-to-One Coaching: See here to view the fees.
Year 9 – 13 Coaching Sessions: See here to view the fees.
We help you to:
- Meet your potential,
- Be successful at any public speaking event,
- Use clear and correct speech for any speaking situation,
- Have confidence your speech is the level required for professional communication
You will likely benefit from this training for life. The value is priceless.
For the six-week ‘Speaking toolkit’ course, fees are charged on an ‘in advance’ basis with an initial upfront deposit, and the balance paid part-way through the programme. Payments can be made by internet banking or via credit card (instructions can be found on the Speaking Coach invoices).
Our fees are fixed for a term on the basis of students attending one class each week. Unattended or missed classes will not be reimbursed unless in exceptional circumstances (e.g., bereavement or serious illness).
There are no refunds for unattended classes as a result of school trips, family holidays etc. Many students have pair or group lessons so it would be disruptive to re-schedule if only one student cannot attend. If a student does not attend the lesson will proceed with the other students in the group.
If advance notice is given (minimum 2 weeks’ notice) that a student or students cannot attend an upcoming lesson we will endeavour to re-schedule the class for all. We will consider offering a double lesson the following week to make-up for the cancellation in this event.
Fees are not refunded when a child chooses not to complete a full term i.e., stops attending or withdraws from class part way through a teaching term. It is expected that children complete the full term in which they are enrolled. Our classes have a minimum enrolment period of one term.