Public speaking for people who stammer

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Speaking in front of a group can often feel daunting. This course will give you lots of opportunities to practise speaking in front of a supportive group. Discover your own unique power, confidence and speaking style and learn how to connect with your listeners. Develop strategies for managing your nerves before and during public speaking tasks. Get supportive and constructive feedback from the group and course tutor.
Specifically for people who stammer/stutter or clutter.
Choose a starting date

Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.

  • Start Date: 14 Oct 2025
    End Date: 02 Dec 2025
    Tue (Evening): 18:00 - 20:00
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 8 sessions (over -8 weeks)
    Course Code: XS305
    Tutors:  Anita McKiernan
    Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £90.00 Concession £26.00
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  • Start Date: 27 Feb 2026
    End Date: 28 Feb 2026
    Fri-Sat (Daytime): 09:30 - 16:30
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 2 sessions
    Course Code: XS220
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £16.00
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Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.

Book your place
In stock
SKU
233067
Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £90.00 Concession £26.00

What is the course about?

Find your own presentation style and grow your confidence in speaking to groups of people. Many people, whether
they stammer or not, can become anxious at the thought of public speaking. This evening class will help you to
reduce nerves and enjoy public speaking by connecting with your listeners and allowing your personality and
communication style to come through. We will refresh previous work you have done on your speech and on
thoughts and feelings about stammering. There will be lots of opportunities to practise public speaking and to
benefit from the support and feedback of the group.

What will we cover?

1. Experiential exercises in understanding the power of non-verbal communication, such as rate of speech, eye
contact with the audience, body language
2. Presence and connection to listeners
3. Speaking circles and opportunities to explore formal/informal speeches e.g. Best Man speeches, Team Meetings, Motivational Speaking, Storytelling, Humour
4. Relaxation techniques and Mindfulness for developing awareness and a non-judgemental attitude to ourselves.
5. Participants may wish to focus on and practice particular approaches and strategies which reduce sensitivity to stammering and support confidence speaking.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

1. Gain greater confidence in making prepared and spontaneous addresses to small and large groups
2. Be aware of and develop your non-verbal communication strategies.
3. Say what you want to say and stammer easily in the group and outside the group.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is for adults who stammer who have had some previous experience of stammering therapy. To access
the course you will need have an adequate
level of English to:
• Express your opinions and feelings
• Follow instructions and make relevant contributions
• Make use of handouts with some assistance if required

If you are new to us, you need to have some advice on the course suitability. Please mail speechtherapy@citylit.ac.uk to arrange this.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

There is a large component of practical work. Visual aids including video and handouts are used. Work will be undertaken both in the whole group and smaller sub-groups using a wide variety of communication activities. You are encouraged to extend therapy into working on your speech outside and to take an increasing level of responsibility for your learning.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

There are no other real costs although you are asked to bring a notebook to sessions.. We recommend you read the book Self-therapy for the stutterer by Malcolm
Fraser alongside the course. This can be borrowed from the City Lit library or bought from the British Stammering
Association for around £8.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You may choose to do another Stage 2 stammering therapy course, or one of our topic-based courses.

Anita McKiernan See more See less
Vivien Grant-Jones See more See less
Anita McKiernan See more See less

Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.