Public Speaking

Public Speaking is a Breni path for anyone who wants to speak to a group with less fear and more clarity, from class presentations to work meetings. Its 7 courses cover speaking basics, managing nerves, structuring a talk, voice and body language, slides, persuasive speaking and real situations such as questions and online talks. Learners finish able to plan a clear talk, steady their nerves and deliver a short persuasive pitch. Nerves are tackled before delivery because they block everything else, and the courses unlock in that order.

7 courses
13 learning objectives
Level: beginner
Language: English
Price: Subscription, free trial

What you will be able to do

Write a talk with a clear message, a strong opening and a memorable ending
Use breathing and preparation techniques to manage speaking nerves
Control pace, pauses and eye contact while presenting
Design simple slides that carry one idea each
Answer audience questions calmly, including ones you cannot answer
Deliver a two-minute persuasive pitch

Full curriculum

Part 1 · Preparing

1. Public Speaking Basics: Finding Your Voice

Describe what makes a talk work and set a goal for your own speaking. Units, in order: Why speaking skills matter; Informative, persuasive and special occasion talks; Knowing your audience; Setting one clear message; Learning from great speeches; Watching yourself on video to improve.

— Why Speaking Skills Matter
Discover how good speaking helps you share ideas and build trust.
- The Power of Voice
- Everyday Speaking Moments
— Types of Talks
Learn the differences between informative, persuasive, and special occasion talks.
- Informative Talks
- Persuasive Talks
- Special Occasion Talks
— Knowing Your Audience
Understand who will listen to you and what they care about.
- Audience Needs
- Tailoring Your Message
— Setting One Clear Message
Focus your talk around a single main idea that people remember.
- The Core Idea
- Cutting Extra Details
— Learning from Great Speeches
Study famous speakers to see what makes their talks work.
- Spotting Good Habits
- Applying Speaker Lessons
— Improving with Video
Watch recordings of yourself to spot habits and grow.
- Recording Your Talk
- Reviewing Your Performance

2. Managing Nerves

Use proven techniques to reduce speaking anxiety. Units, in order: Why nerves happen; Breathing to calm the body; Reframing fear as energy; Preparation as a confidence tool; Recovering from a blank moment.

3. Structuring a Talk

Organise a talk so the audience can follow and remember it. Units, in order: Strong openings; The rule of three; Signposting and transitions; Stories and examples; Endings that stick; Cutting a talk to fit the time.

Part 2 · Delivering

4. Voice and Body Language

Use voice, pace, gestures and eye contact to hold attention. Units, in order: Volume, pitch and pace; The power of a pause; Eye contact; Posture and gestures; Using the stage or room.

5. Slides and Visual Aids

Make slides that support a talk instead of competing with it. Units, in order: When to use slides; One idea per slide; Charts people can read; Speaker notes; Presenting without slides; Handling technical problems mid-talk.

Part 3 · Real situations

6. Persuasive Speaking

Build a talk that moves an audience to agree or act. Units, in order: Ethos, pathos and logos; Problem, solution and action; Handling objections; Calls to action; Pitching an idea in two minutes; Using evidence and numbers to persuade.

7. Speaking in Real Situations

Handle questions, meetings, online talks and impromptu speaking. Units, in order: Answering audience questions; Impromptu speaking; Presenting online; Speaking up in meetings; Toasts and introductions; Speaking at interviews and on panels.

Sample: Public Speaking Basics: Finding Your Voice

The opening tier, (Why Speaking Skills Matter). Discover how good speaking helps you share ideas and build trust.

The Power of Voice

Explain how speaking clearly helps you connect with other people.

Everyday Speaking Moments

Identify daily situations where good speaking skills help you succeed.

Questions about Public Speaking

How can I get better at public speaking?

Practise short talks often, prepare a clear structure and work on nerves directly. Breni's Public Speaking path covers each of these in order.

How do I stop being nervous when speaking?

Most speakers never lose nerves completely, but breathing, preparation and reframing make them manageable. The second course is about exactly that.

Can you learn public speaking from an app?

An app can teach structure, techniques and what to practise. You still need to rehearse out loud, ideally in front of someone.

What are the three main types of public speaking?

Informative, persuasive and special occasion speaking. The path covers all three, with a full course on persuasion.