CoachTAC Academy brought aspiring speakers from several countries and professions together in London on Friday, 25 September, for a free Public Speaking Foundation Workshop. They arrived with different reasons for wanting to speak more confidently but shared a willingness to stand up and practice.
The two-hour session took place at the Church of Scientology, 146 Queen Victoria Street. Sponsored by the TAC Foundation and facilitated by Titilola Aboyade-Cole, the workshop introduced participants to preparing a message, using voice and posture effectively, and speaking in front of others.
The group included people from Ireland, Bangladesh, India, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and England. That range of backgrounds gave the room different perspectives and made clear that the desire to communicate with confidence crosses cultures and careers.
Participants also brought experience from many walks of life. Among them were a lawyer, two IT professionals, a trainer, a businessman, a sales consultant, two accountants, an actor, a cadet and a childcare specialist. People involved in philanthropy and humanitarian work joined them.
Their reasons for attending showed how far public speaking extends beyond a stage. A radio presenter came to work on anxiety around speaking, while a participant involved in humanitarian work wanted to strengthen her confidence. Others could use the skills in meetings, presentations, business conversations, community work or future speaking opportunities.
The workshop began with the inner challenges that can make speaking difficult, then moved into practical techniques for voice, physical presence, and giving a message a clear structure. Participants had the chance to deliver short talks, putting those ideas into practice while the lessons were fresh.
That opportunity to practise was central to the evening. A useful structure helps someone prepare, but speaking aloud is where they discover how their message sounds and how they feel delivering it. Short exercises offered a manageable way to take the first step, with a supportive audience in the room.
For Aboyade-Cole, a coach and experienced event host, the foundation session offered a starting point that participants could use immediately. Someone who wants to contribute more confidently in a meeting or address a group in everyday life can keep practicing what they learned without needing to pursue public speaking professionally.
Participants gave appreciative feedback, and some later shared photographs and messages of thanks. Certificates of attendance were presented to mark their participation and recognise the work they had put into the session.
The free workshop was intended to stand on its own as an introduction. For those who want to develop public speaking further, CoachTAC Academy is preparing a public speaking masterclass beginning on the first Saturday of November. It will build on the foundation session with deeper work on delivery and presence, including speaking as a keynote speaker or corporate event host.
The next step for every participant is to use their voice again: in a meeting, at an event, on air or wherever an opportunity arises. Friday’s workshop gave them a place to begin.
Were you at the CoachTAC Public Speaking Foundation Workshop? Tell Podium News what you learnt and where you hope to use your voice next. Organisations interested in supporting practical learning opportunities can enquire about partnerships and the Podium News Business Showcase.
Scenes from the workshop
