Public Speaking Courses in London
Building confidence you can trust with a different approach to public speaking
Would you like to speak in front of an audience with confidence and ease?
And if that was possible, what would you do with your life?
Reviews of my course by London course attendees
“The best training course I’ve been on, without a doubt. John’s calm and constructive approach quickly becomes infectious. It was so inspiring to be part of a room full of people who started off eaten up by negative thoughts and doubts of self worth, and experience our journey to become people willingly, unapologetically, and even keenly taking part in the very safe and well-constructed experiential opportunities (none are obligatory!). Ponder no further, do this course!”
Claire Bass
“A fantastic course. John's approach is extremely sensitive to those with a fear of public speaking (me!) and at no point did I feel uncomfortable or pressured. You learn the fundamentals of why we shy away from being in the spotlight and how to be kinder to yourself. John is very sincere and an excellent teacher. Couldn't recommend enough.”
Alice West
“What a great two days. In a world where we have become very branded and corporate it's refeshing to have a geniune warm and 'real' instructor. I felt as though I was talking with a friend. Encouraging, enthusiastic and not 'slick' at all, which made the subject matter much easier to cope with. After all it's scary as you know what standing 'up there'. Thanks John. Highly recommended.”
Sam Bunch
Five years of course reviews here
Venue
All courses are held at: The October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 3AL
upcoming dates
click on dates below to book
or scroll down for fuller information
Taking your place in the world
Two day public speaking course run by John Dawson
The course is aimed at people who don't like public speaking or are struggling with it. This 2 day course has been running for 24 years and I run it 33 times a year in London, Manchester and Bristol. It will help you to learn how to feel more at ease in front of an audience, change how you feel about being the centre of attention, learn to speak publicly (in a conversational manner rather than performing) and to create a connection with the audience. Many people who come on this course have previously found public speaking tricky to say the least. I know you might be nervous but time and time again people have said "I wish I had done this course 5 or 10 years ago!"
The course really works with beginners as well as people who have been public speaking for a while but are still anxious. You’ll have the chance to absorb and practise what you have learnt on the first day and work with it on the following day. It's all about learning the new fundamental skills and re-thinking what we need for public speaking. Beginners is a strange term here as I get some people who have been speaking for a long time but are doing the wrong stuff and still feel grim.
The course name came from Gill, wrote this about my course in 2009: “John offers more than public speaking training. This course is about taking your place in the world and to NOT apologise for doing so”
“Fantastic course. Amazing the difference 2 days can make. John is a legend, who has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and passed on life changing skills to the group.”
James Tighe
Money Back Guarantee
All my public speaking courses come with a simple no quibble guarantee.
Full details here
How I Teach
It’s an experiential course (learning through experience and discussion) which builds up the learning in very small steps, sometimes very baby steps! The smaller the steps are, the easier it is to learn.
It’s NOT a course about how to structure a presentation. It’s different. It’s a public speaking course about the psychology of anxiety, confidence and public speaking for people who don’t like public speaking.
We learn about audiences and what gets in the way for us as public speakers. Then we look at the new skills and new reframes that we need to make being the centre of attention and public speaking far more possible. Most of the course is focused on learning these new skills and mindset changes we need to make to make public speaking a whole lot simpler.
I do this by:
Keeping the course numbers to 6-10 people so it’s a small enough course to have individual attention and big enough to feel like public speaking.
Individual coaching through the course
Pair work exercises
Group conversations and exercises, building confidence and changing what it means to be the centre of attention
Gentle public speaking practice with reflection, building on what we are learning all the way through the course. It’s all about small steps.
Using ground-rules to set up the learning space to be as safe as possible. This is a key part of my approach and something I really value.
Open to any questions throughout the course
Clear Course materials
Additional help through coaching can be arranged pre or post-course.
I try to model the practice all the way through the teaching
The course is run by me, John Dawson. I’ve been teaching this course for 24 years and it’s been constantly evolving as I’ve learnt more and more. It’s a job that I love. My passion is to help people have confidence not just for public speaking but for life!
More information
My e-mail is john@speaking-infront.co.uk or ring or WhatsApp me on 07730 550842
Quick Chat: Book a “Talk to me for free!” 10 minute slots are offered when I can, including up to 19:30. Book here
Coaching Deal: My one-to-one coaching hour sessions are via Zoom with an introductory session for £45 for an hour’s session instead of my normal £95.
My London course dates for 2025
Thursday 23rd - Friday 24th January London
Taking your place in the world' - a 2 day public speaking course
1 place available as of 6th December
October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 3AL.
Standard Rate
Suitable for a company OR organisation paying for your place either in whole or in part, whether directly or by reimbursing you.
Early bird before December 23rd £570 + Vat - Total - £684 - if you want an organisational booking because there is only only place left - email me
Normal price: £642 + VAT - Total £770.40
If you want to pay by invoice rather than credit card, email me here.
Solo Rate
You qualify for the solo rate if you are paying for yourself and there is NO organisational support for payment or you are NOT being reimbursed by your company/organisation.
Early bird before December 23rd : £437.50 + vat - Total - £525 save £100 by booking early
Normal price: £520.83 + vat - Total £625
Spread the costs
Instalment payments for Solo Rate payers
If you want to pay the normal price spread over 6 month instalments, with no extra costs , let me know
Book here by debit or credit card
Book your place by choosing the right "booking type" below and pay with your credit/debit card. All prices include VAT. Standard Rate purchasers: If you need an invoice with your organisation's purchase order please email me.
Venue and further info
October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 3AL.
Nearest Tubes: Holborn, Russell Square and Chancery Lane
All courses come with a money back guarantee.
You can cancel up to 14 days before with NO charge - Cancellation policy.
Times
Day 1, 9am - 5pm;
Day 2, 9 am - 4pm
Course numbers: 6 people min - 10 people max
Need an invoice?
Often organisations book via credit card for a single booking and that’s the simplest way. If you want an invoice, or want to book multiple people on a course, I can invoice you. Contact me about what your organisation needs via email
Who comes?
Everyone who comes doesn’t like public speaking in some way.
Everyone on the course won’t be better than you! There is no powerpoint, the dress code is smart casual. Everyone there wants to get their heads around being the centre of attention, pausing, connecting to audience, and learning new ways of being with anxiety. A full list of all the occupations who have come is here
Thursday 20th - Friday 21st February London
Taking your place in the world' - a 2 day public speaking course
places available
October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 3AL.
Standard Rate
Suitable for a company OR organisation paying for your place either in whole or in part, whether directly or by reimbursing you.
Early bird before January 20th £570 + Vat - Total - £684
Normal price: £642 + VAT - Total £770.40
If you want to pay by invoice rather than credit card, email me here.
Solo Rate
You qualify for the solo rate if you are paying for yourself and there is NO organisational support for payment or you are NOT being reimbursed by your company/organisation.
Early bird before January 20th: £437.50 + vat - Total - £525 save £100 by booking early
Normal price: £520.83 + vat - Total £625
Spread the costs
Instalment payments for Solo Rate payers
If you want to pay the normal price spread over 6 month instalments, with no extra costs , let me know
Book here by debit or credit card
Book your place by choosing the right "booking type" below and pay with your credit/debit card. All prices include VAT. Standard Rate purchasers: If you need an invoice with your organisation's purchase order please email me.
Venue and further info
October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 3AL.
Nearest Tubes: Holborn, Russell Square and Chancery Lane
All courses come with a money back guarantee.
You can cancel up to 14 days before with NO charge - Cancellation policy.
Times
Day 1, 9am - 5pm;
Day 2, 9 am - 4pm
Course numbers: 6 people min - 10 people max
Need an invoice?
Often organisations book via credit card for a single booking and that’s the simplest way. If you want an invoice, or want to book multiple people on a course, I can invoice you. Contact me about what your organisation needs via email
Who comes?
Everyone who comes doesn’t like public speaking in some way.
Everyone on the course won’t be better than you! There is no powerpoint, the dress code is smart casual. Everyone there wants to get their heads around being the centre of attention, pausing, connecting to audience, and learning new ways of being with anxiety. A full list of all the occupations who have come is here
Thursday 20th - Friday 21st March London
Taking your place in the world' - a 2 day public speaking course
places available
October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 3AL.
Standard Rate
Suitable for a company OR organisation paying for your place either in whole or in part, whether directly or by reimbursing you.
Early bird before Feb 20th £570 + Vat - Total - £684
Normal price: £642 + VAT - Total £770.40
If you want to pay by invoice rather than credit card, email me here.
Solo Rate
You qualify for the solo rate if you are paying for yourself and there is NO organisational support for payment or you are NOT being reimbursed by your company/organisation.
Early bird before Feb 20th: £437.50 + vat - Total - £525 save £100 by booking early
Normal price: £520.83 + vat - Total £625
Spread the costs
Instalment payments for Solo Rate payers
If you want to pay the normal price spread over 6 month instalments, with no extra costs , let me know
Book here by debit or credit card
Book your place by choosing the right "booking type" below and pay with your credit/debit card. All prices include VAT. Standard Rate purchasers: If you need an invoice with your organisation's purchase order please email me.
Venue and further info
October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 3AL.
Nearest Tubes: Holborn, Russell Square and Chancery Lane
All courses come with a money back guarantee.
You can cancel up to 14 days before with NO charge - Cancellation policy.
Times
Day 1, 9am - 5pm;
Day 2, 9 am - 4pm
Course numbers: 6 people min - 10 people max
Need an invoice?
Often organisations book via credit card for a single booking and that’s the simplest way. If you want an invoice, or want to book multiple people on a course, I can invoice you. Contact me about what your organisation needs via email
Who comes?
Everyone who comes doesn’t like public speaking in some way.
Everyone on the course won’t be better than you! There is no powerpoint, the dress code is smart casual. Everyone there wants to get their heads around being the centre of attention, pausing, connecting to audience, and learning new ways of being with anxiety. A full list of all the occupations who have come is here
Tues 29th - Wed 30th April London
Taking your place in the world' - a 2 day public speaking course
places available
October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 3AL.
Standard Rate
Suitable for a company OR organisation paying for your place either in whole or in part, whether directly or by reimbursing you.
Early bird before March 29th £570 + Vat - Total - £684
Normal price: £642 + VAT - Total £770.40
If you want to pay by invoice rather than credit card, email me here.
Solo Rate
You qualify for the solo rate if you are paying for yourself and there is NO organisational support for payment or you are NOT being reimbursed by your company/organisation.
Early bird before March 29th: £437.50 + vat - Total - £525 save £100 by booking early
Normal price: £520.83 + vat - Total £625
Spread the costs
Instalment payments for Solo Rate payers
If you want to pay the normal price spread over 6 month instalments, with no extra costs , let me know
Book here by debit or credit card
Book your place by choosing the right "booking type" below and pay with your credit/debit card. All prices include VAT. Standard Rate purchasers: If you need an invoice with your organisation's purchase order please email me.
