Public speaking for people who stammer
Time: 18:00 - 20:00
Location: Keeley Street
Specifically for people who stammer/stutter or clutter.
Choose a start date
- Course Code: XS305
- Dates: 21/01/25 - 25/03/25
- Time: 18:00 - 20:00
- Taught: Tue, Evening
- Duration: 10 sessions (over 10 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Anita McKiernan
Course Code: XS305
Choose a start date
Duration: 10 sessions (over 10 weeks)
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.
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, BSc, MSc, Dip Coaching, Dip Counselling Skills, MRCSLT, HCPC registered. Anita is a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapist and joined CityLit as a part-time tutor in 2019. Her wider work includes children, young people & adults with Selective Mutism, Stammering and Voice Disorders. She spent several years working in the NHS in clinical & management roles. Anita is also a Visiting Lecturer & Clinical Tutor at City, University of London. She is the Chair of the National Clinical Excellence Network in Selective Mutism and is an adviser for the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists. She is also a member of the National and Regional Clinical Excellence Networks in Fluency. Anita has completed further qualifications in areas of Coaching & Counselling and uses a range of psychological approaches in her work. As a lover of the Arts and trained improviser, Anita reslishes the creative process of working with others. She draws on various art forms as appropriate, including art-making, music, movement, improvisation and poetry. She has written songs & melodies for therapeutic use and writes poetry when the impulse strikes!.
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.