Public speaking
Public speaking has become an essential transversal skill for anyone wishing to assert themselves, inform, negotiate or convince. Whether it's with a colleague, a manager or those around you, communicating is not always easy, and this program will help you to express yourself better.
Presentation of the program
Far from the usual theoretical courses that claim to teach you how to speak in public without you having to express yourself, this short program is organized in the form of a participative workshop. It will enable you to improve your physical and vocal ease through practical exercises and improvisation games based on techniques used in theater and the performing arts. As a result, you'll learn how to speak more confidently in everyday situations, becoming an actor rather than a spectator. This module is structured in three phases:
- Improving verbal and non-verbal expression: voice, breathing, diction, movements, posture, support points, gestures, etc.
- Become aware of your strengths: gaze, power of voice, flow, phrasing, etc.
- Put your body on stage and integrate tools by confronting typical situations.
Learning objectives
- Work on postural integration, non-verbal language, body ease, attitude, presence and gestures to avoid.
- Improve breathing, stress management and voice control in all its forms (diction, projection, timbre and modulation).
- Gain confidence and enthusiasm by mastering the secrets of the public speaker.
Target audience
- Anyone who needs to speak in public on a regular or occasional basis (conferences, interviews, meetings, etc.).
- Anyone wishing to work on themselves, boost their confidence, manage stress and get out of their comfort zone.
- Anyone interested in taking part in an innovative program, halfway between the performing arts and the professional world.
About the program
This short program Public speaking was built for professionals seeking to learn about fundamental concepts and then practice them trough practical exercises. There is a strong emphasis on practical application supported by academic excellence, with the use of exercises and break-out groups, industry examples and guest speakers. The fundamental notions will be presented beforehand, then supplemented and illustrated by numerous practical exercises based on real cases .
This approach will allow the participants to deploy the concepts presented during the course as well as forging a strong analytical mindset to tackle future challenges they might face on .
our speakers
Program's sessions
- full dates
- 1, 2 and 15 February 2027
- language
- French
- registration
- Before 31 December 2026
Related programs
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How do I keep my composure when speaking in public?
The program puts you directly into real situations. You work on breathing, physical grounding, and stress management through concrete exercises drawn from the performing arts. Rather than staying with abstract advice, you experiment. You identify what happens in your body when the pressure builds. By understanding these mechanisms, you learn to regulate them. You gradually gain in stability. This physical control supports your clarity of expression and reduces the feeling of losing control.
Can this program really help me build confidence?
Yes, because confidence is built through action. The program exposes you to a variety of situations, within a demanding yet safe environment. By repeating, adjusting, and receiving structured feedback, you develop a more grounded sense of assurance. This confidence is rooted in practiced skills, not simply in encouragement.
What will I actually work on during the program?
You work on verbal and non-verbal expression: voice, breathing, diction, posture, and body language. Improvisation exercises help you develop your responsiveness and presence. You also explore vocal projection, pace, and phrasing. Each tool is progressively integrated through scenarios drawn from everyday professional life: meetings, interviews, presentations. You leave with clear, immediately actionable reference points.
Is this suitable if the idea of speaking makes me very anxious?
Yes, provided you are willing to step outside your comfort zone. The environment is structured and respectful. The exercises increase in intensity gradually. The work on breathing and physical grounding helps you better regulate the physiological responses linked to stress. The goal is not to eliminate stage fright, but to channel it into usable energy. This approach makes public speaking more fluid and more controlled. As we say in our field: make stage fright your ally!
How is this program different from a theoretical course?
Here, you practice from the very start. The point is not to listen to principles about public speaking, but to experience them. The workshop draws on techniques from theater and the performing arts. You work on your presence and physical engagement. This experiential dimension allows for deeper integration. Learning happens through the body as much as through the intellect.
Will I learn to better manage my voice?
Yes. You work systematically on breathing, then on vocal projection, diction, and modulation. You become aware of your tone, your pace, your use of silence, and emphasis words. These technical adjustments improve the clarity of your message and strengthen your impact. By mastering your voice, you develop natural authority. Your delivery becomes more steady and more audible, even in demanding contexts.
Is this useful even if I already speak regularly in meetings?
Yes, because speaking often does not always mean speaking with ease or impact.
You refine your presence, your natural charisma, your posture, and your ability to hold attention. You identify habits that are limiting your effectiveness. This step back allows you to raise the quality of your contributions. You speak with greater precision and conviction.
How do I quickly apply what I learn at work?
The scenarios are close to your professional reality. You can transfer the tools starting with your next meeting or presentation. By working on grounding, breathing, and the structure of your message, you sharpen your delivery. Progressively, you position yourself more and more as an active participant in your own contributions. Your communication gains in consistency, presence, and impact.
What are the terms and conditions applicable to this course ?
Contact us
The quality of the training and the professionalism of the instructors are reflective of HEC Lausanne.
- full dates
- 1, 2 and 15 February 2027
- language
- French
- registration
- Before 31 December 2026