Public Speaking Course

If you want to overcome your fear of public speaking or shake away those nerves and deliver powerful presentations, then this is for you.

Our Public Speaking Course is face-to-face and designed specifically for those who need to build confidence and improve their presenting skills for work or personal goals.

We also provide Public Speaking 1 Day Courses, please click here for more details.

Using the famous Pressure System techniques, you’ll learn how to transform into an incredible speaker using the fundamental skills of Acting and Performing.

Actors don’t just “have it in them", they LEARN vital skills for many years.

And the best part is, you can too.

We coach you in these skills and more so you can finally get rid of your nerves and start standing out (for all the RIGHT reasons).

Learn how to deliver powerful presentations or simply share your well-articulated opinions at meetings and events instead of shying away, feeling like you’ve mucked up or losing a nights sleep.

📣 We aim to run all our face to face classes in our venues but if our venues close due to government restrictions, lockdowns or circumstances out-with our control, we’ll go online and return to venues when it’s safe to do so. Online sessions will be recorded, so if you can’t show up on the day, you won’t miss any content. Rest assured, your health, safety and wellbeing is our top priority so we will follow the current guidelines on the appropriate dates of the course and comply with our school and venue risk assessment measures. 📣

Here’s Exactly What You’ll Get:

✅  9 Weeks of Live, Face-to-Face Interactive Training on the Pressure System - the secret formula to becoming a confident, successful speaker.

✅ A supportive and professional environment covering the program as well as useful training methods, general tips and advice

✅  Free Membership to the Professional Performance Association while training with us

✅ You’ll learn how to use top secret acting methods designed specifically to keep actors relaxed (and sane) during high pressured filming days or long theatre runs 

✅ You’ll start to overcome presentation anxiety and fear 

✅ You’ll discover how to connect with your audience and inspire them to make powerful and compelling offers that sell your product or share your ideas

✅ You’ll uncover hidden acting tips that help you boost your stage presence to make important people notice you and WANT to engage with you

✅ You’ll create and structure your presentations around your unique speaking style so you always feel confident and positive and feel like you DESERVE to be there.

✅ You’ll practise performing techniques that get you to "act the part" and "step up to the challenge".

✅ You’ll get training in improvisation, one of fundamental tools for a speaker these days.

✅ You’ll learn about your voice and how to warm it up properly.

✅ You’ll learn how you can use your breath to relax during high pressured events (like speaking in public)

✅ You’ll get a Certified Course with Education Scotland (CPD PLFind) *

✅  You’ll get an optional NUS Student Card **

✅ You’ll increase your confidence in speaking and everyday life

✅  You’ll get more creative and spark your imagination by freeing up those normal adult restrictions and belief systems

✅  You’ll enjoy excellent tuition and training from professional directors and coaches

✅  You’ll walk away with individual feedback on your ability and progression (at the coaches’ discretion)

✅  You’ll get our honest advice with options on future opportunities to continue your training with us (and beyond)

 * There is an optional fee for a digital certificate for proof of the certification of this particular course ** NUS Cards are Payable to NUS

All our training is fun and professional.

There is normally a mixture of speakers from all sorts of professions and backgrounds. Most speakers enrol to improve their presentation, meetings or interview ability.

There are different ages of students who enrol, from 20s up to around late 60s.

Beginners or those who feel very nervous about Public Speaking are very welcome. We know enrolling can be the first step of a life changing decision. Please contact us if you need a bit more help deciding.

📣 We aim to run all our face to face classes in our venues but if our venues close due to government restrictions, lockdowns or circumstances out-with our control, we’ll go online and return to venues when it’s safe to do so. Online sessions will be recorded, so if you can’t show up on the day, you won’t miss any content. Rest assured, your health, safety and wellbeing is our top priority so we will follow the current guidelines on the appropriate dates of the course and comply with our school and venue risk assessment measures. 📣

Everything you need to know about Public Speaking & Presentation Training (FAQ)

Does Acting Out offer public speaking training?

Yes. Acting Out Drama School offers public speaking and presentation training for adults, helping people develop confidence, communication skills, presentation ability and their ability to speak effectively under pressure.

Our training combines public speaking techniques with skills drawn from acting and performance, including voice, breath, improvisation, stage presence and performance techniques. We offer face-to-face public speaking courses in Edinburgh, online training and private one-to-one coaching, depending on your needs.

Can Acting Out help me overcome a fear of public speaking?

Yes. Helping people manage presentation anxiety, nerves and fear of public speaking is a key part of our public speaking training.

Rather than simply giving you tips on what to say, we teach practical techniques that help you understand how to manage your voice, breath, body and mindset when speaking under pressure. Our Pressure System was developed specifically around performing and speaking confidently in high-pressure situations.

Our courses welcome both beginners and people who already speak regularly but want to feel more confident, engaging and in control.

Do you offer public speaking courses in Edinburgh?

Yes. Acting Out runs face-to-face public speaking training in Edinburgh. Our current public speaking course takes place at Murrayfield Parish Church in Edinburgh and provides live, interactive training using the Pressure System alongside acting and performance techniques.

We also offer online public speaking training and private coaching, so you don't necessarily need to attend a weekly Edinburgh class to train with us.

Can I improve my presentation skills with Acting Out?

Absolutely. Our public speaking training is designed to help you become more confident and effective when delivering presentations, meetings, talks, pitches and other professional communications.

Training can include structuring presentations around your own speaking style, connecting with an audience, developing your voice and stage presence, using breath effectively, improvisation and practising techniques for performing confidently under pressure.

For people who need highly specific preparation, our private coaching can be tailored around a particular presentation, event or professional goal.

Can actors' techniques help with public speaking?

Yes. Acting and public speaking have many transferable skills, including voice, breath, physical presence, spontaneity, audience connection, storytelling and the ability to perform confidently under pressure.

At Acting Out, this is a fundamental part of our approach. Our public speaking courses use acting and performance techniques to help speakers develop skills that professional performers train for over many years.

The aim isn't to make you behave like an actor when you speak. It's to give you practical performance skills that can make you a more confident, engaging and authentic communicator.

Do you offer online public speaking training?

Yes. Acting Out offers Public Speaking Without Fear and Present to Camera, both online public speaking programmes that you can complete in your own time and at your own pace.

The programmes includes online modules, access to a private training portal 24/7, videos, audio resources, workbooks, templates and training based around the Pressure System. They are designed for people who want to improve their confidence, presentations, meetings and speaking skills without the commitment of a weekly face-to-face class.

Present to Camera focuses specifically on communicating confidently through video, online meetings and platforms such as Zoom.

Do you offer one-to-one public speaking coaching?

Yes. Our private sessions provide private, bespoke one-to-one coaching.

Sessions can be tailored to your particular goals and may include public speaking techniques, the Pressure System, breath work, vocal impact, presentation skills, mentoring and other techniques appropriate to your needs. Sessions are available online, with face-to-face options available for clients based in Edinburgh.

One-to-one coaching can be particularly useful if you have a specific presentation, meeting, interview, speech or high-pressure event coming up and want personalised support.

Can Acting Out help me prepare for an important presentation or speech?

Yes. Our private public speaking coaching can be tailored specifically around an important presentation, speech, meeting, event or other speaking situation.

Rather than giving you a generic lesson, your coach can work with you on the areas that matter most, which may include presentation structure, delivery, voice, confidence, audience connection, nerves and performing under pressure.

This can be particularly useful when you know you have an important moment coming up and want the opportunity to practise, receive feedback and refine your delivery beforehand.

Can I work with Clare Cairns specifically?

Yes. If you would like to work directly with Clare Cairns, Acting Out's founder and director, you can book bespoke one-to-one public speaking coaching with her.

Clare is a multi-award-winning acting, directing and public speaking coach, the creator of the Pressure System and the author of best-selling book Public Speaking Without Fear. She has coached thousands of clients across the UK, including professionals, business leaders, actors, doctors, sports professionals and senior managers.

Clare's private sessions are tailored around you, your goals and the situations you need help with. Depending on what you need, sessions can include public speaking techniques, the Pressure System, breath work, vocal impact, presentation skills and mentoring.

Sessions are available online, with face-to-face coaching also available for clients in Peebles (Scotland), subject to availability.

If you specifically want to train with Clare, check out her website

www.clarecairns.com

Can Acting Out help with interview confidence?

Yes. Interview confidence is one of the reasons people come to Acting Out for public speaking and communication training. Our public speaking courses are attended by people from a wide range of professions, with many looking to improve their presentation, meeting or interview ability.

Training can help you become more comfortable speaking under pressure, communicate your ideas clearly, use your voice and physical presence effectively, and respond more confidently when you're put on the spot.

For more specific interview preparation, private coaching can be tailored around your particular situation and requirements.

What is the Pressure System?

The Pressure System is Acting Out Drama School's approach to developing confidence and performance skills when you are under pressure.

It was developed by Acting Out founder and director Clare Cairns and is based on practical techniques drawn from acting and performance. It is used within our public speaking training to help people manage nerves, develop their voice and physical presence, connect with an audience and perform more confidently in high-pressure situations.

The Pressure System forms an important part of both our face-to-face and online public speaking training, as well as our bespoke one-to-one coaching.

It isn't about pretending that nerves don't exist. It's about developing practical skills that give you more control over how you respond when the pressure is on.

Who is public speaking training suitable for?

Acting Out's public speaking training is suitable for anyone who wants to become more confident and effective when speaking in front of other people.

Our students come from a wide range of professions and backgrounds. Many join us because they want to improve their presentation, meeting or interview skills, while others want to overcome nerves or feel more comfortable speaking up at work or in everyday situations. Beginners and people who feel very nervous about public speaking are particularly welcome.

Training can be useful for business owners, professionals, managers, entrepreneurs, students, speakers and anyone who regularly needs to communicate ideas to an audience. It can also be helpful if you have a specific presentation, speech, meeting or high-pressure speaking situation coming up.

Because our approach combines acting and performance techniques with the Pressure System, you don't need any previous acting or public speaking experience. We teach you practical skills that you can apply to your own voice, body, presentation style and communication.

We offer face-to-face public speaking training in Edinburgh, online training and one-to-one coaching, so you can choose the type of support that best suits your circumstances.