Stella Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 ...my toaster is useless Seriously though, there is a Toastmasters club at uni (WHICH STARTS TOMORROW! just a little bit excited) and I am contemplating joining. Would like to know how others have found it. I am not petrified of public speaking, but have not done much of it and would like to get better. I am mostly petrified of making an arse of myself and it will be very useful for me to get better at it this year. As a starting point, I know almost nothing about Toastmasters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedazzled Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 Haven't tried it Stella, frankly the thought of speaking in public frightens the bejeezis out of me lol I know of people that go and love it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 Like bedazzled, I haven't done it myself but know others who have and who found it an excellent, and helpful, experience. Not only for public speaking but for enabling them to speak up for themselves when required, dealing with annoying salespeople, asking for a pay rise etc etc etc Really boosts the self confidence. :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted February 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 ah, you are all wusses! Well, I think I will have to give it a go. Would be great to get better at public speaking (I have at least two major ones coming up later this year). Scary to start the Toastmasters thing, but it is probably the ideal situation - real feedback and supportive people in the same boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 You will find it of great benefit Stella. It will also be fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 'my ex manager from the bank used to go for that toastmasters - dunno if she still goes for it, but she said it was a lot of fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidb Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 I went to a 6 week course run by toastmasters, I found it was great, as you get more experience talking to an audience. Further you are offered creative criticism. My ad-lib speech ability in particular greatly improved, and now I can comfortably do 10 minute speeches and the like without cue cards which is really useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jude Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 My son went. He enjoyed it, had heaps of fun, made new friends, and even managed to improve his public speaking!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 Make sure you keep us updated on how it goes, I'm interested in doing it, but I have to find the time first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenna Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 In high school I started what was known as a Zenith Club - like a junior toastmasters. It used the same structure and methods as toastmasters, teaching more than speechcraft, including formal meeting proceedure and etiquette; confidence which carried far further than standing in front of a group of people; the ability to accept and give creative, constructive criticism; well structured argumentation; quick precise thinking on clear points (same as argumentation in many cases lol). I never joined toastmasters after high school but always intended to. Aside from learning and growing so much, it was a load of fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxglove Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 Yeah, I did three years with ITC, which is very similiar. Great! It gave me all the confidence to do public speaking, as well as all the things Jenna wrote and learnt about correct meeting procedures, minute-taking etc ... been great for all the other clubs I've belonged to since. :lol: Seriously, it all depends on the group you get - some groups are more hidebound, others really fun. I met some neat people and made some good friends. I absolutely loved the impromptu 2 minute speeches where you only had the time it took to get to the front to think how you were going to speak on whichever topic you drew. 8) :bounce: :bounce: Go for it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Medium).thumb.jpg.a01a77a9b0ed5d19a29af66986bf7df8.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.