Learning Public Speaking With Toastmasters

I first joined Toastmasters 4 years ago and I did so because I wanted to learn Public Speaking. 

I first heard of Toastmasters a few years prior to joining. A family friend had revealed that he was a member of the organisation and he told me some of what went on at their meetings. I was intrigued, I had always wanted to gain confidence as a public speaker but have never heard of the Toastmasters organisation.

My friend lived in a different part of the country, so it was not possible for me to attend their club. Which would have been great because I always feel it is better to have a friendly support when you go along to your first meeting of a new group.

Local Group

A few years later, I read that a new Toastmasters group was being establiushed in my local town. I was immediately excited and intrigued, so I made contact with the organiser and was invited along to one of their meetings.

I had taken the brave step of going alone to my first toastmasters meeting but I need not have worried. I was very warmly welcomed and given a brief outline of what to expect at the meeting. The members were all enthusiastic and very welcoming; something I have continually found at Toastmaster meetings.

At my first Toastmasters meeting I observed members getting up in front of the audience and giving short speeches on a given topic. This was really interesting and I was impresssed by how easily members stood up and spoke about a subject without knowing about it in advance. The confidence and skill of Toastmasters in doing this, greatly impressed me.

Nerves, What Nerves?

There was a short break in the meeting, during which I got to meet some of the members. They were each very interesting people and they all revealed how nervous they had felt when they first spoke before an audience. Looking at those who had spoken already at this meeting, I could detect no sign of nerves.

The meeting resumed with a few members giving longer speeches, which they had prepared. I was told that these speeches were part of a course all members followed. This Toastmasters course was designed to teach members different aspects of public speaking. This made me all the. more enthgusiastic about the group; not only were they providing a forum for practising public speaking but they also had a course available for learning how to do it.

Friendly and Supportive

I was struck by the size of the group. There were around 20 members, which does not sound a lot but I was surprised there were so many local people interested in learning the art of public speaking. It was also evident that the size of the group made it very friendly and supportive; just the right environment for a newbie learning public speaking.

I joined Toastmasters right away. I have never regretted it and have learned how and improved how to deliver speeches. I am now considered a competent communicator within the organisation and I continue to progress through new and challenging speaking tasks. In all, my time with Toastmasters has proven to be a great benefit. I have improved myself and also had the pleasure of watching other people develop and improve their skills. What’s more, through new learning schemes and speaking opportunities, Toastmasters continue to present learning and practicing opportunities.