Public Speaking Games Ebook

- getting from fear to fun in 28 ways

Games to play with your students to build public speaking confidence and competence

If you're a teacher or leading a communications group you'll already know the problem with public speaking is not, speaking. It's 'public'.

Speaking is fine, in private. There it's natural, normal and effortless. Family, friends, colleagues; we talk to them easily.

"Not safe for public use" sign

But swap the arena, and ease takes flight.

Children, teenagers, adults; it's all the same. The power and fear of 'public' is one-size-fits-all.

Because you care, you want to stop the paralysis and free their voices. But how?

There is a solution. It is ...

Public speaking games

If you've visited write-out-loud.com before you may have found my pages of them.


They're popular for good reason; they do the job, effectively. Fear of talking in front of an audience can be beaten and you can do it with something as simple as a giggle. Learning with laughter is the best there is. I know because I've used public speaking games for years and have seen the results. Others have too as you can see in the testimonials below.

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to have found your website! Your writing is extremely welcoming, friendly and familiar. As a theatre educator, (looking for exercises), I have researched and came across a gazillion different websites, to often times, be disappointed. This is one website that was immediately added to my Bookmark Bar! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Kristy Lenuzza - USA  www.evolvediscoverycenter.com


"Just wanted to say a massive THANK YOU for this amazingly comprehensive site. There's more here than in many paid-for sites. I came looking for some games/exercises to do with a group and I've come away with inspiration on top. I've bookmarked you and will be back - again and again. Thanks again."
Claire - UK www.straightforwardcoaching.com


Now I've collected all those games up (added some more strictly-Susan-specials, plus detailed instructions, printable topic, tongue twister, image, and poem sheets) and put them in one place - a downloadable, printable e-book.

You can have a 10 page preview here.

E-book cover: Public Speaking Games

From fear to fun

Like me, you will have discovered simply telling people to stand up straight, breathe, face the audience, make eye contact, speak clearly and smile, isn't particularly effective. It's just more 'blah' to go in one anxious ear and out the other. When you're focused on survival pausing to do the equivalent of admire the scenery will be ignored.

But put those same students in a group, take the pressure off solo performance, target one skill at a time, make the vehicle for learning fun and inclusive and everything changes.

These games may appear silly but they teach serious skills; those underpinning successful public speaking very well. You'll soon find your students have:

  • the confidence to stand and talk freely in front of an audience,
  • the ability to think and respond rapidly, creatively and appropriately,
  • and the awareness to tailor body language and delivery to fit content and audience.

They'll flourish.

What's in the ebook

  • 28 games (plus multiple variations and extensions) with full instructions on how to play them
  • accompanying printable topic, poem, tongue twister, and image sheets where needed
  • guidelines for use covering the physical space needed, optimum group size, timing, how to demonstrate the games, set student guidelines, conduct positive and valuable feedback sessions, select, introduce, prepare and evaluate a game

In all there are 33 hyperlinked pdfs. That's one main PDF and 32 printable resource files.

Review excerpt:
"I use this outstanding and clear resource to much success for both college-level men and women of different cultural backgrounds.
In addition to learning in the guise of creative fun, I use these games to enliven long sessions with activity and community."
N. Tabor (Baltimore, Maryland USA) Click to read the full review

Clickable cross-referenced interlinking

For ease of use, time and sanity saving, the ebook is extensively cross-linked and the games are classified by:

  • focus point: 21 of them; including awareness of vocabulary, topic, fluency, audience, listening skills, eye contact, body language, vocal variety, structure, transitions and more
  • function; warm-ups, story telling or impromptu speeches
  • skill level; beginner, experienced or both making it easy to choose the game(s) you need for your classes.

If you check out the preview pdf you'll see.

Who are these games for?

They are generally targeted toward students in the middle school and above range, including adults. You'll find them easily adaptable to fit your context: school, work place or community group. Although they are not specifically designed for non-native English speakers people in this category will benefit from playing them too.

Attention US based teachers

For you there's a 4 page section on aligning the games with the Common Core Standards (CCS).

You'll find all the relevant CCS for Grades 6-12 with links back into their source on the Common Core Standards web site if you want more information.

I have been in your position ...

And this is the type of practical one-stop-read-choose-print-and-go resource I longed to find when I was full time teaching.*

Everything you need to know about how to set up and play public speaking games is here, ready and available on your screen at a click. Even the resources! You do not have to scurry about finding images, or sorting out topics. It's all done for you. Click and print.

*What if I'm an inexperienced or new to leading a group? Is this e-book suitable for me?

Absolutely it is! If you're looking for ways to lessen your anxiety about teaching public speaking and the stress your student's typically undergo while learning it, then you'll be prepared to give games a go. Start with the simpler ones activities and build - learn alongside your pupils. They'll love, and thank you for it! Truly, everything you need to begin is here.

"I love this ebook! It's so much fun and so helpful. The speech and presentation games are great for people of all ages who want to learn how to get over their fears of speaking in front of others or just want to become a lot better. Susan Dugdale tells you step-by-step how to put these exercises into practice and make it fun and rewarding for for the students and the teacher."
G. Ebisu, Attorney and Speech Coach, California.


Public speaking. Two words. Only one of them is the problem and it's not speaking.
You can help them solve the other by playing these games. There's a great example, plus a printable, in the preview pdf. Look and see!


Safe Place Purchasing

You're in a safe place purchasing zone.

Buy with confidence. If you find this ebook of public speaking games is not what you need, email me within 30 days of buying it and I'll refund your full purchase price.

Getting the ebook

Please note - You are buying an instantly available downloadable ebook.

To get it, after you have paid;

Step 1. You will be automatically returned from the PayPal thank you page to a special page on this site containing the e-book link.

Step 2. Click the ebook link. When you open it and click on the resource file links within it, you'll gain access to the 32 supporting pdfs.

If you have any problems with the process (and please double-check your email address!) contact me. I'll sort it out for you as fast as possible.

E-book cover: Public Speaking Games