When I first got to know about the Toastmasters program, my initial impression was that this was a group of individuals helping each other with their English language skills. Since I was passable with my general speaking – Toastmasters did not appeal to me at first, until I was invited to a Speechcraft session conducted at the factory I work at; which was guided by a Toastmasters Club based in the locality.
Speechcraft is the perfect grass-root level program to build confidence in speaking in front of an audience within a familiar environment which I found to my glee. At the inception session of Speech craft, I had the privilege of participating and witnessing colleagues who converse with confidence with me, fumble in front of the audience.
Gradually, over a few sessions, the participants improved on their skills and it is now a regular event looked forward to by most of the individuals in the organization. After a few months of Speech craft, I relocated my job to another factory, hence my involvement with Speechcraft, ended abruptly.
During this time of discontent, I was fortunate to have received an invite to join a toastmasters club a few months back. I was contemplating if I should join because of the challenges of time-sharing with multiple priorities of family & work. Although hesitant at the start, I embarked on the journey of Toastmasters, and I could confidently state that I have made the right choice, and I am indebted to my invitee, as I have realized that there is so much more to Toastmasters than it gets credit for.
To understand the phrase ‘tongue tied’, one has to participate in the Round Robin activity, where the last word of the previous speaker becomes the starting word for your speech, and to connect it with the ‘Round Robin – Theme’ within 20 seconds; makes even the strongest amongst us – feeble. Harnessing one’s confidence to speak whilst comprehending the flow of speech – and adopting it towards the Round Robin – Theme of the day, all inside 20 seconds – exemplifies the character Toastmasters builds in the individual.
A tried and tested structure has helped standardize the Toastmasters to be globally accepted. Roles are defined and the agenda is well articulated to obtain participation and adherence to time constraints. Even the prepared speech, is broken down into many levels, to ensure the participant gradually ascends the ladder of progress. It is noteworthy that Toastmasters requires the designated evaluator of a speech to educate the audience prior to the speech on the set objectives of that particular level, and subsequent to the speaker addressing the audience to give ‘constructive-feedback’ with illustrations. Which helps both the speaker and the audience to appreciate the areas for improvement positively, without any lingering displeasure.
As for myself, I am an adolescent in the life of a Toastmaster, and have much to learn in the time to come.
By
Zakir Nuhman
[Photo: Zakir, Second from the left with Dananjaya Hettiarachchi ]
