You’ve decided your child could do with a confidence boost when it comes to speaking up. Maybe they freeze when the teacher asks a question. Maybe they have a school speech coming up, or they’ve just started debating and want to get better. The next question many parents ask us is simple: should we go online or in person?

The honest answer is that both work, because the thing that builds confidence isn’t the room. It’s regular practice in a small, encouraging group, with a coach who helps your child try, reflect and try again. Confidence is a skill, and skills grow week by week. The right format is simply the one that fits your child and your family’s week, so they keep showing up.

Here’s how to choose.

What stays the same in both

At SpeaksCraft, online and in-person classes follow the same curriculum. Either way, your child gets:

• Small groups of 6 to 10 students, grouped by age and ability, so every child gets a turn to speak.
• Our 4-in-1 program: public speaking, debating, drama and creative writing. Each one-hour class usually focuses on one or two of these, and all four are covered across a term.
• Live coaching. Online classes are live and interactive, not pre-recorded videos.
• A showcase at the end of term, a chance to show how far they’ve come.
• The same membership prices (more on that below).

So the choice isn’t about quality. It’s about what helps your child feel ready to have a go.

In-person classes might suit your child if…

• They light up around other kids. Some children feed off the energy of a room, the laughter in a drama game or the buzz of a debate.
• They need to practise with a real audience. If the goal is a school assembly, a class presentation or a speech competition, standing up in front of a group of real faces is great rehearsal.
• Screen time is already high. An after-school class away from devices can be a welcome change.
• You live near one of our venues. In-person classes run across Sydney (Bella Vista, Castle Hill, Chatswood, Epping, Hurstville, North Kellyville, Parramatta, The Ponds and Waitara) and in Willetton, Perth. They usually run on weekdays after school, from around 3 to 4pm onwards. See all our Sydney class locations.

Online classes might suit your child if…

• They’re shy and feel safer at home. For some quieter children, speaking from a familiar space is the first brave step. Once they find their voice there, it travels with them to the classroom.
• Your week is already packed. No driving, no parking, no rushing across town. Online classes usually run on weekdays from 5pm, plus selected Saturday times.
• You don’t live near a venue. Online classes are open to families anywhere in Australia, including regional areas and cities where we don’t run in-person classes.
• They already juggle lots of activities. A later time slot can make it possible to fit speaking practice around sport, music or tutoring.

Find out more on our online classes page.

Three questions to help you decide

1. Where does my child feel brave? Think about where they’re most likely to put their hand up. Start there. You can always change later.
2. Which time can we keep up every week? Confidence comes from steady practice, not one big push. A class you can get to every week beats a “perfect” one you keep missing.
3. What’s the goal right now? If a competition or assembly is coming up, practising in front of a live group helps. If the goal is simply to stop dreading speaking up, a calm, familiar setting can be the gentler start. Getting ready for a big day? Our guide on preparing for a speech competition walks through it step by step.

Whichever you pick, remember that progress isn’t always loud. It might be your child answering a question in class for the first time, or reading their work aloud without being asked twice. Notice those moments and celebrate them. That’s confidence growing.

How the membership works (online or in person)

SpeaksCraft is a membership, not a contract, and the prices are the same for both formats:

• Monthly: $40 per class. Quarterly (best value): $38 per class.
• No term lock-in. Your child’s place, coach and progress simply carry on.
• Only pay for classes that run. No classes and no fees in school holidays.
• Join anytime. Starting part-way through? You only pay for the classes left.
• Sibling discount: 10% off the second child’s fees.

Still not sure? Try one class first

The easiest way to decide is to let your child try. A Discovery Class costs $45, in person or online. It’s a real, live class for children aged 5 to 17, and no experience is needed. Our coach will also let you know which group suits your child best. If you go on to join, the Discovery Class fee comes off your first membership payment.