Centre for Adult Education (CAE) – Public Speaking Courses

Overview

The Centre for Adult Education (CAE), owned and operated by Box Hill Institute, offers structured public speaking short courses in the heart of Melbourne's CBD. The flagship offering — "Panic-Free Public Speaking for Nervous Beginners" — is taught by Jacquie Wise, a professional speaker and psychotherapist with over 35 years of experience. The course is designed to transform anxious, reluctant speakers into calm, confident presenters through a warm, highly participative, and personally attentive learning environment.

Best For

• Nervous beginners who have never received formal public speaking training
• Professionals who need to present confidently in meetings, job interviews, or online settings
• Anyone seeking to speak more comfortably in social situations, such as weddings or community events

Meeting Format

• Mode: Offline (in-person, at the Melbourne CBD campus)
• Frequency: Short course format — runs across two sessions (Week 1 and Week 2)
• Duration: Not publicly specified per session; course spans two weeks
• Group size: Small, intimate workshop setting with guaranteed personal attention

Typical Session Flow

1. Arrival / check-in: Participants arrive at the CAE Flinders Lane campus and settle into the workshop room
2. Instruction and skill-building: Week 1 covers presentation planning strategies, structuring content, managing nerves, using visual aids effectively, and thinking on your feet
3. Prepared presentation: In Week 2, each participant delivers a self-prepared 5-minute presentation on a topic of their choice, in a safe and supportive environment
4. Feedback and wrap-up: Participants receive encouraging, personalised feedback and recommendations from the facilitator; the session closes with practical takeaways

Language And Speaking Level

• Languages used: English
• Recommended level: Beginner (no prior public speaking experience required)
• Beginner friendly: Yes — the course is explicitly designed for nervous beginners and those who have had no opportunity to build speaking confidence

Membership And Costs

• Trial policy: No trial session model; enrolment is per course intake
• Membership fee: Not publicly specified — course fees apply per enrolment; check the CAE website for current pricing and any available concession rates
• Extra costs: Participants are asked to bring a large notepad and pen; no additional materials fee is publicly listed

Venue And Accessibility

• Address context: Level 2, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD 3000 — located approximately halfway between Elizabeth and Swanston Streets, directly next to the City Library in the Flinders Lane precinct
• Transit/parking: Approximately a 3-minute walk from Flinders Street Station. Multiple tram routes serve the area: Swanston Street trams stop at Town Hall (Stop 11), Elizabeth Street trams stop at Flinders Lane (Stop 1), and Collins Street trams stop at Town Hall/Collins St (Stop 6). Paid parking facilities are available nearby on Flinders Lane and Flinders Street
• Accessibility: The building is accessed via lift; lift access is available within the CAE/Box Hill Institute building on Flinders Lane. Specific wheelchair or disability access details should be confirmed directly with CAE prior to attending

Joining Steps

1. Enrol online: Browse the CAE website, locate the public speaking short course listing, and complete online enrolment for an upcoming intake
2. Prepare for Week 1: No prior preparation is needed for the first session — simply bring a large notepad and pen
3. First visit: Arrive at Level 2, 253 Flinders Lane; expect a small, friendly group setting where the facilitator provides personal attention from the outset; by the end of Week 1 you will have a topic chosen and a 5-minute presentation in progress for Week 2

Community Notes

• The workshop atmosphere is described as highly participative and supportive, with the facilitator guaranteeing personal attention to every participant
• Feedback is encouraging and constructive, focused on building confidence rather than criticism
• The course draws participants from diverse backgrounds — professionals, job seekers, and those wanting to speak more confidently in social settings
• Jacquie Wise is also a psychotherapist specialising in confidence building, which informs the emotionally supportive tone of the course
• CAE is a registered training organisation (RTO: 3737) and has been serving Melbourne's adult learning community since 1947

Last Verified

• Date: 2026-05-24