Toastmasters International

What it is

Toastmasters International has been helping people practise public speaking since 1924. It works through local clubs, in universities, companies and cities around the world, plus online clubs. Each club meets regularly, often weekly or every two weeks, and members take turns giving prepared speeches, speaking off the cuff, and giving each other feedback.

What a meeting looks like

• Prepared speeches of around five to seven minutes, from the Pathways learning programme.
• Table Topics: short impromptu answers to a surprise question, which is the best practice there is for meetings and conversations.
• Evaluations: a fellow member gives you specific, kind feedback on what worked and what to improve.
• Roles such as timer and grammarian, so even new members contribute from the first meeting.

Cost

Visiting a club as a guest is free. Toastmasters lists membership as a one-time new member fee of USD 25 plus USD 72 every six months; clubs may add their own dues, and some university and company clubs subsidise fees. Check with the club you want to join.

Who it suits

Students who want to present without panic, people speaking in English as a second language, early-career engineers who now have to speak in meetings, and anyone who wants a friendly community that meets regularly.

How to use it well

• Visit two or three clubs before joining; the people and energy differ a lot.
• Say yes to Table Topics from the first meeting.
• Ask for an evaluation on one specific thing, such as filler words or eye contact.
• Take a role every meeting, not only speeches.

Pair it with on Sefism

• Speaking and being heard covers presenting, meetings, small talk and speaking with an accent.
• Building real confidence helps with nerves and the inner critic.
• Building your support system covers finding communities and peers.
• Ask Tauseef a question if you want advice on your own situation.

Best for: regular, supportive, in-person or online speaking practice with feedback.