Introduction to Public Speaking, 6th-12th, 2025-2026, Instructor Simmons

$150 covers the entire course, September through March.

IEW's Introduction to Public Speaking (grades 6-12 or equivalent, previous IEW experience helpful, but not required)

Limited seats available.

Instructor Simmons

Times and dates subject to change if you purchase this class before April 1st, 2025.

Day and time TBA (most likely Tuesdays or Wednesdays between 3pm and 4pm CST)

1st semester dates TBA

2nd semester dates TBA

We will meet about every other week to provide ample time for homework.

After purchasing this class, you will receive downloadable instructions via email.

Required materials TBA, but it will most likely be a full copy of Introduction to Public Speaking [Forever Streaming or DVD]. You may purchase it from IEW by clicking here.

From IEW's website: In this twelve-week course, middle- and high-school students learn memory and delivery techniques as they write and present five speeches: self-introductory, narrative, expository, persuasive, and impromptu. Students evaluate recorded speeches in preparation for self-evaluation. This self-explanatory program empowers teachers to help students become competent and confident public speakers.

Our purpose in having the class is not to teach it per se. (We're going to let Mr. Pudewa's video classes do most of the teaching.) Instead, we will get together once a week and do hands-on activities that can't really be done with a video course. We'll workshop our speeches together, recite for each other, etc. Classes will last an average of 30 minutes per week, but students should budget 45 minutes for classes that run longer.

If you're unsure whether this class is the right fit for you, please glance at this review written by Audrey Loadholtz. This is a review of Miss Amy's group from several years ago, but the curriculum and techniques remain the same. Additionally, Miss Simmons brings even more experience to this class.

Miss Simmons is a former national and international collegiate competitor in speech and debate, so she understands the lifelong value of effective communication. She remains actively involved in the high school speech and debate circuit, serving as a judge and mentor with the goal of developing another generation of effective communicators.

To see instructor credentials, check out our FAQ page.

Online classes meet via Zoom.

If a student is unable to complete the class for some reason, they will still have access to our weekly class recordings. :)