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Captivate™

A public speaking course to elevate your professional persona

Discover the art of captivating audiences. Join our renowned public speaking workshop and transform your communication skills.

Upcoming course dates and details

Gain confidence with public speaking

You’ve finished your research. You’ve crafted relevant and compelling content. You may have even created stunning slides. But you still need to nail your delivery. After all, great content cannot move people if it’s not delivered well. Luckily, effective public speaking is a skill everyone can learn.

Captivate™ gives you the model and tools to become a more comfortable, dynamic, and empathetic speaker. This highly participatory public speaking workshop uses a mix of instruction, examples, group discussion, and live coaching sessions so you can immediately put your new skills to practice.

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9 9 /10

Immediately apply Captivate™ principles

Nearly all attendees report that they are able to apply the principles they learned in their Captivate™ training immediately to improve their communication.

10 10 /10

Average Duarte Captivate™ facilitator score

Will I like the instructor? The big question, right? We’re proud to say Duarte instructors consistently rank high with workshop learners.

9 9 /10

Attendees recommend Duarte

Not only do they recommend — they say the workshop will help them do their job better — which is truly on point.

Ways to learn

Flexible learning paths for all your public speaking needs

Choose your mode of learning. Whether in person, live online, one-on-one speaker coaching, or executive speaker coaching, pick what best meets your needs. For group learning, our Captivate™ workshop provides facilitated discussion, small group collaboration, and hands-on practice to upskill your public speaking skills.

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Live online workshop

$2,195.00

  • Spread over two days, with two
  • 90-minute sessions each day
  • One 30-minute break per day
  • Physical or digital kit

Dates: December 12-13, January 23-24 or February 25-26

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In-person workshop

$2,195.00

  • One day, packed with four 90-minute sessions
  • Three 15-minute breaks and 45-minute lunch
  • Physical kit

Dates: April 30
Location: Duarte HQ in Santa Clara, CA

10 or more on your team?

Schedule a chat on our Training Concierge’s calendar, we can answer questions, build packages, and set up trainings based on your team’s availability.

Course overview

Comprehensive speaking skills development

Beyond research and content, learn the nuances of delivery that make great speakers. From boardrooms to keynotes, gain the confidence and communication skills to influence and engage any audience effectively.

Our Captivate™ course blends theory with practical coaching to enhance your speaking prowess. You will:

  • Increase your confidence in every speaking setting, from virtual meetings to live keynotes
  • Persuade others not just by what you say, but how you say it
  • Leverage your personality and presence to create a memorable impression
  • Track your own progress through built-in practice sessions

Download course overview PDF

The cover of the Captivate book, workbook, brochure, and course overview.

Workshop agenda

Refine your public speaking skills in just four sessions

Module one

Foundations of persuasive speaking

There’s public speaking, and persuasive speaking. Learn the fundamentals of both, and how to find success before your next big-stage moment.

  • Introduction to Captivate™
  • Establish the goal of a presentation
  • Identify the nine traits every powerful presenter has in common
  • Optimize audio and video for virtual presentations
Module two

Building confidence and command

It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. Learn public speaking techniques that make you confident, comfortable, and poised no matter the size of audience you’re speaking to.

  • Come across as more comfortable
  • Take up space
  • Articulate authoritatively and cleanly
  • Speak with power and confidence
  • Core work 1: Identify your purpose
  • Presentation and coaching session with facilitator and peers
Module three

Engaging and influencing your audience

Use advanced public speaking techniques to help you convey your message. From vocal variety to hand gestures, engaging your audience involves more than you think.

  • Increase your dynamism
  • Vary vocal dynamics for emphasis
  • Use gestures to underline key points
  • Move purposefully in the space
  • Core work 2: Clarify your passion
  • Presentation and coaching session with facilitator and peers
Module four

Connecting empathetically with listeners

Empathy drives everything we do. And connecting with your audience is a huge factor in your speech’s success. Learn multiple ways to display empathy with your audience.

  • Display audience empathy
  • Give your audience time to process
  • Make intentional eye contact
  • Read and respond
  • Core work 3: Re-align your perspective
  • Presentation and coaching session with facilitator and peers

Enhance your public speaking skills

Train yourself or your whole team with scalable workshop options

Whether you’re refining personal skills or elevating your team’s impact, our courses offer tailored solutions for every professional level.

For teams

Interested in training your team of 10, 100, or 1000’s? We’ll help you choose and customize workshops or learning journeys to best meet your business communication needs.

Book time on our calendar

For individuals

Enroll in our public Duarte courses. Perfect for those who want to work on public speaking delivery in an interactive, group setting that teaches a broad range of concepts and speaking techniques.

Upcoming dates and details

Global Guru 2023

Global recognition

Celebrating our award-winning public speaking excellence

It’s an honor that Duarte’s Captivate™ workshop has been named the #1 World’s TOP Communication Development Program at the Global Gurus 2023 Awards. Votes are cast for communication speakers and trainers who have made a profound impact on learners, teams, and/or organizations. Votes are based on actions, unique concepts, and the learner’s personal ability to apply and benefit from what they were taught.

Arturo Weiss

Instructor highlight

Arturo Weiss, Facilitator​

Arturo Weiss is a bilingual (English/Spanish) communications professional and Duarte Facilitator. His training expertise spans various industries, including aviation, language education, leadership, and public speaking. ​He has spoken at the PDC English USA Conference, TOESL International Convention, and English Language Expo. ​Arturo holds a B.S. in Aeronautics and is a certified Cambridge Speaking Examiner, Narrative Coach, and Functional Imagery Training Practitioner.​

Public speaking foundations put to practice

Participants share their experiences of newfound confidence and enhanced communication skills gained from our public speaking course.

“This workshop certainly helped my public speaking skillset, but more importantly it helped me feel more confident and comfortable while presenting.”

“Would recommend this course to anyone looking to improve their presentation skills – at any level of experience. The hands-on coaching received was invaluable and my team members are now feeling very prepared to get on stage at an upcoming event!”

“Captivate will truly change the way you look at delivering presentations! The tools and feedback made an immediate impact … [Our facilitator] did an amazing job at instilling confidence in our group. The one-on-one coaching was the highlight.”

“[The Captivate workshop] quickly [provided] insights into old bad advice and personal insecurities. I now have a clearer picture of how I need to tweak my presentations to help my listeners AND myself.”

“This public speaking course gave a great framework for how to approach presentations [and] specific areas for me to focus on and improve. I will be able to implement effective changes immediately to make my presentations more engaging and impactful.”

“This is one of the best virtual experiences on elevating presentation skills with great peer feedback and coaching built into consumable chunks.”

“The Captivate workshop will forever change how you think about delivering and preparing for a presentation.”

“Easily the best presentation skills session I have attended. It made the uncomfortable topics around presenting feel super comfortable. Professional live coaching that enabled instant improvements and takeaways. Highly recommended.”

“This workshop is worth it. You will get assistance and tools to advance your speaking engagement opportunities. The most telling aspect is the quick results you see within hours of participating.”

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Secure your professional growth with public speaking training

Join our next public speaking course and start your journey towards being a compelling, confident speaker.

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