Public Speaking Classes | Potomac Debate Academy

Speak to the public.
Empower yourself.

Our online and in-person public speaking classes meet weekly and are taught by award-winning public speaking coaches. Students learn a wide variety of public speaking skills, including how to speak extemporaneously, how to bolster arguments with well-sourced research, and how to effectively use tactics like gestures and voice projection.

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Class Level Descriptions

Intro to Communication

Introduction to Communication is designed for students in grades 2 through 12 who are seeking to learn general public speaking skills like enunciation, speech structure, and effective use of gestures. Students are separated into grades 2-5 and grades 6-12. Your main activities will include creating speeches on topics of your own choosing and watching champion speakers. Your final project will be preparing a memorized speech to deliver in front of your families on the last day of class. Students will also have opportunities to compete in Speech tournaments hosted by Potomac Debate Academy. We offer 12- and 8-week courses in the Fall and 16-, 12- and 8-week courses in the Spring.
Competition Speech Team

The prerequisite for taking a Competition Speech class is the Intro to Communication class.

Elementary Competition Speech, grades 2-5, focuses on teaching and practicing the 7 pillars of public speaking. You will deliver speeches using the 4 methods of delivery (manuscript, outline, memorized and impromptu) and you will create speeches using the structures that spring from the 3 speech purposes (persuade, inform and entertain). Students will be expected to compete in 2 or more tournaments during the semester. We will offer you 3-5 tournament opportunities each semester. Your final project will be preparing a memorized speech to deliver in front of your families on the last day of class. We offer a 12-week course in the Fall and a 16-week course in the Spring.

Middle/High School Competition Speech, grades 6-12, is our Varsity Speech team, with the expectations and goals of a high school team. The course focuses on building the specific skills needed to compete in Speech tournaments. Your projects will be to prepare 2 speech events that you compete in. The 6 Speech events Potomac teaches are Impromptu, Extemporaneous, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Original Oratory and Informative. Students are expected to compete in 4 or more tournaments each semester. We will offer you 8-10 tournament opportunities each semester. On the last day of class you will deliver your speeches in front of your families. We offer a 16-week online class in the Fall and in the Spring.