How to choose a public speaking class (a checklist for parents)

First, be clear about what you want

"Public speaking" can mean very different things. Write down, in one line, what you hope will change. For example:

• "She knows the answers but never speaks in class."
• "He has an elocution competition in two months."
• "She speaks fine in Kannada but freezes in English."
• "He talks a lot but rambles, and people lose interest."

Share this line with every class you consider. A good class will tell you how they would work on it. If they give everyone the same sales pitch, that tells you something too.

1:1 or group class?

Both can work. The right choice depends on your child.

1:1 classes tend to suit children who

• are shy, or freeze in front of others
• need to work on something specific, like a speech or English fluency
• have a busy or changing timetable
• would get little speaking time in a group

The trade-offs: 1:1 usually costs more per class, and there are no other children to practise with or learn from.

Group classes tend to suit children who

• are already fairly comfortable speaking
• enjoy debates, games and performing with others
• need practice with a real audience

The trade-offs: each child gets less speaking time, the pace is set for the group, and a shy child can easily stay quiet.

Many families start 1:1 to build confidence and add group activities later, like school debates or a drama club.

What a good class includes

• Your child speaks most of the time. In a good public speaking class, the child talks more than the teacher. Watch for this in the demo.
• A plan for the first few weeks, based on where your child is now, not a fixed syllabus that every child gets.
• Age-appropriate work. Show-and-tell and storytelling for 5 to 7 year olds; structured talks for 8 to 11; debate, extempore and presentations for 12 to 15.
• Kind, specific feedback, one or two things at a time, rather than a list of everything that went wrong.
• Regular updates for you. You should hear what your child worked on and what comes next, in writing, without having to chase.
• Practice for real life, such as school presentations, answering in class and talking to adults, not only performing scripted speeches.

Questions to ask in the demo class

Most classes offer a free demo or trial. Use it to watch how your child responds, and to ask these questions. You can print this list or keep it open on your phone.

1. Who will teach my child every week, and what experience do they have teaching children?
2. Will it be the same trainer each time?
3. What will my child work on in the first month?
4. How will you tell me how my child is doing, and how often?
5. How long is each class, and how many classes a week?
6. What is the total fee, and what does it include?
7. What happens if we miss a class? Can we reschedule?
8. What is your refund policy if it isn't working for my child?
9. Can my child practise for a real school event, like an annual-day speech or a debate?

After the demo, ask your child: Did you like the teacher? Would you want to go again? A child who feels comfortable with the trainer will practise far more than one who doesn't.

Warning signs

• Pressure to pay on the demo call, such as "this discount ends today". A good class is happy to let you think about it.
• Fees you can't get in writing before you pay, or a large upfront package with no clear refund policy.
• Promises of guaranteed results, like "fluent in 30 days". Every child is different, and honest teachers say so.
• Vague answers about who teaches, or a different teacher every week.
• Big numbers with no source, such as huge student counts or perfect ratings you can't check.
• The teacher talks most of the demo and your child barely speaks.

Online or offline?

Online classes save travel time and let you choose a teacher from anywhere, which matters if there is no good option nearby. Many shy children also find speaking from their own room easier at first. Offline classes give the experience of a real room and a live audience. If you choose online, check that the class is live (not recorded videos), that your child's camera and microphone are on, and that you can sit in or nearby.

Is it worth it?

A class is not the only way to build speaking skills. Plenty of practice at home helps a great deal, and our guides on building confidence and communication activities are a good place to start. A class can help when you want a structured plan, someone outside the family giving feedback, or help getting ready for a specific event. Try a demo, ask the questions above, and decide based on how your child responds.

How LearnNova works

So you can compare us with the checklist above: LearnNova runs live 1:1 online classes on Google Meet for children aged 5 to 15, in public speaking, personality development, spoken English and communication skills. Our trainers are experienced in training kids to be confident, fluent speakers. You get a progress report every week and every month. The demo class is free, takes about 60 to 70 minutes, and needs no payment or card details to book. You can read about our public speaking classes, or book a free demo and bring your questions.

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