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

$200 covers the entire course, September through April.

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 July 1st, 2025.

Wednesdays from 3pm-4pm CST

Fall Class Dates: 9/10, 9/24, 10/8, 10/22, 11/5, 11/19

Spring Class Dates: 1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 2/25, 3/11, 4/1

We will meet about every other week to provide ample time for homework. In addition to learning about public speaking, students will workshop their speeches together, recite for each other, etc. 

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

Required materials: Every student must a copy of Introduction to Public Speaking, published by IEW. The video course is NOT required for this class as Miss Simmons will personally teach the course content, drawing from her own experience.

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.

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.

Here's a parent review from previous years when Miss Amy conducted this course using the IEW videos. (But keep in mind that Miss Simmons is much more experienced than Miss Amy in this content area and will be teaching the course herself!) Please take a look at this review written by Audrey Loadholtz.

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. :)