From a class to a club

Abstract

Toastmasters International (TMI), from the USA is the only large successful world-wide club for public speaking. With over 300,000 active members, and over 15,000 clubs in over 100 countries worldwide it organizes the World Championships of Speaking. TM has refined the success formula for learning to speak in public to a fine art. What is it that TM clubs do so well that thousands are willing to pay good money for? Truth to tell English Speaking lecturers can learn a lot from Toastmasters. First, TMI has a well-honed formula for running friendly welcoming meetings that give both stage-shy neophytes and also experienced speakers’ positive encouragement. Second, TM has excellent manuals: every new member is automatically sent the starting manual with notes for preparing the first ten speeches which, once given, will earn the new member a Competent Communicator Certificate. Third, members pledge to help each other. Fourth, all members learn to give evaluation speeches. Members learn a golden rule for evaluations: look for things to praise and then comment on one thing to do better. Fifth, all speeches are timed. Sixth, TM meetings are lively and interesting with a variety of activities– via: prepared speeches, word of the week, table topics. Club meetings are not large 15 to 30 people. Speaking Classes can learn a lot from TMI - if the Class is turned into a Club all the students who will then become its members and each student will surely benefit a lot.