Want to improve your English? Join Toastmasters!

[Colin Choi(최재석)]

  I got an email from a toastmaster Irivng Grow. it was saying that Want to improve your English? Join Toastmasters!

So I would like to post this article to help you understand why we should be charted and follow T.I system.

I know this article didn't mention about chartering and following but object of T.M for improving your skills as you wish to go for. if avaliable, please write your opinion in English. We are here to improve speaking in English and gain more confidence. Writing and communicating in Korean doesn't help us any more. Please keep in mind not to use mother tongues. think about why we get together here! Hope you will understand the reason I made comment.

In China, most students complain that they don’t have enough opportunities to speak English. For the most part, I agree. Most students I’ve met are looking for more the chance to speak English and get some feedback. Toastmasters, the Communication and Leadership Club, provides this opportunity - to speak English - and much, much more.

In a normal Toastmasters meeting there are many different roles taken on by the members - from impromptu talks to prepared speeches - all with the purpose to help us improve our communication skills. Giving prepared speeches is a main part of the program. This is probably why most Chinese join a Toastmasters club. While speaking in English is a good way for anyone to improve their spoken English, Toastmasters offers so much more. Here is a typical meeting with all the roles and how a person can improve their English communication skills by taking part.

Toastmaster/Chairperson - runs the meeting. This person has to control and plan the entire meeting. A person can develop their leadership and meeting management skills by taking on this role. Also, this person has to introduce all the other roles. Giving a great introduction takes practice and doing it 10 plus times in a meeting takes a lot of practice.

Table Topics Master - this person runs the impromptu speaking session. Here you can develop your creative skills by bringing interesting ways for members to give their impromptu talks (E.g. read a piece of paper and make a speech or have a debate and give your opinion).

Table Topics Speaker - giving an impromptu talk for 1 to 2 minutes. In my opinion this is great practice for speakers of other languages as it forces you to think quickly and still speak clearly in English within a short 2 minute time limit. You have to organize a mini speech with no preparation time. Also, you don’t have time to think in Chinese or to translate into English. It forces speakers to get their message across clearly within the allotted time. I’ve found that Chinese speakers, generally, have no fear of public speaking. For me it’s the opposite. In fact most will be able to stand for 2 minutes and talk about nothing, regardless if it makes sense or not, just to use up their time. This is probably because these speaking opportunities are so rare and that in school they often had to stand up to give an answer to their teacher. I think this is one of the best ways Chinese speakers can improve their spoken English.

Table Topics Eval‎uator - this person listens to all the speakers and gives feedback. English skills developed are effective listening and eval‎uation skills. Similar to the TT speakers, this person has to listen quickly to 6-8 speakers and pick out some feedback gems to give to the speakers. They also have to be able to think quickly on how to create a good eval‎uation.

General Eval‎uator - eval‎uates the entire club. A person taking on this role can also improve their active listening and eval‎uation skills. Being able to give positive and effective eval‎uations is skill needed in China and the world over.

Speech Eval‎uators - eval‎uates the speeches. This person has to read the speakers speech manual beforehand to understand the speech objective. Then he’ll listen actively in order to be able to give effective and constructive eval‎uation. Finally, they’ll give their mini speech eval‎uation in such a way, (Hamburger approach +/-/+), that the speaker will enjoy hearing it and make the recommended changes. Listening, speaking and eval‎uating skills developed with this role.

Timer - this person times all the key sessions and helps keep the meeting on track. By taking on this role, you can better understand the importance of timing. Also, when you give the Timer’s Report you can practice reading times aloud that each member used. Reading times used for over 20 members in second language isn’t easy. Try it in Chinese or French.

Ah Counter - this person listens for all the “crutch” words people use, like”Ah, Uhm, nei ge, you know…” Taking on this role you can improve your active listening skills. In learning a second language they say listening and speaking are connected. The better we listen the better we can speak. I agree with this.

Wordsmith/Grammarian - this person introduces a new word to be used during the meeting and listens for how good our grammar was. Listening for our proper use of grammar, means that you first must know the right grammar and can hear us when we make mistakes. By teaching us a new word each meeting, means that you first must learn the word. They say if you really want to learn something try to teach it. So, your vocabulary will grow by helping teach us a new word. Also, you’ll listen to how well we used this word during the meeting and improve your listening too.

Quotemaster - this person brings a new quote to the club each week. They read us an inspiring quote once or twice and explain why it is meaningful to the reader. The speaker can develop their ability to read aloud. You’d think it’s an easy thing to do, but try and read off a piece of paper, while standing and in front of a group of strangers and make it clear, effective and with good eye contact. It’s tougher than you think.

Quizmaster - this person listens to everything that was spoken and makes a 2 minute quiz testing our listening skills. This person has to be able to actively listen during the meeting. Then she’ll make 5-6 simple questions and test us which can developing her, and our, listening skills.

So if you want to improve your language skills, leadership skills and life come out to Toastmasters. I love it. And it has changed my life. It helped bring me to China.

[Chris Lee(이성수^.~)]

I wish there were a formal TM in Masan which I can take part in. Plz let me know if there is one. ^^