Job Discussion Forums

[struelle]

Has anyone participated in this well-known public speaking organization before, and if so, how has it helped your teaching?

In university I spent about 3 years doing speeches in a club there, eventually working my way towards president. All I can say is that the confidence and speaking skills learned there were invaluable to my current teaching career. In fact, without that prior experience, it's doubtful that I could have started teaching on a smooth note.

Toastmasters helped a lot with reducing nervousness, inspiring confidence, and meeting lots of interesting people committed to personal growth. Actually, I first found out about EFL through a speech that a former teacher in Japan made. She was so positive and upbeat about her experiences that it totally got me interested, around the senior year of university. One year later, I was also teaching abroad and haven't looked back.

Since coming to China I've had very little time to continue Toastmasters and had to cut it short. But now my schedule is freeing up and I discovered at least 3 clubs in my area. So I went to a meeting as a guest last night and met TWO of my former adult students from last year. Talk about a coincidence!

What's more, the place was a gold-mine for networking and I met a half-dozen people who offered private English lessons and/or corporate training jobs.

I'm no longer involved as a regular TM member, but it feels like 3 years ago all over again, and I'm back to pushing club membership growth and getting people to sign up. On this note, I suggest going to a club and attending a meeting as a guest in your area if you can find one. This link may help:

http://www.toastmasters.org/find/default.asp

Steve

[arioch36]

Thanx. I have though of it from time to time, though I am guessing there isn't one in Zhengzhou.

[denise]

I was a member for two years. Without it, I don't know if I would have been able to get up in front of a classroom full of students without passing out. I cannot praise TM enough.

Although I'm no longer a member, I am still on their mailing list and I get their e-zine. I always scan it for tips and ideas for my high-level speaking classes here.

d

[khmerhit]

My friend Dr Bob in Scarborough, Ontario just did a Toastmasters course, and he said he learned quite a bit about speaking and the like. He is studying adult education. good for the old confidence, I imagine!