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(Deutsche Version dieses Textes)

Whether it is at work, while studying, or at an event, we all have to speak in public at some point. For a speech to be effective, a thorough preparation is only part of the story. You learn to swim in water and you learn to ride a bike while on a bike. A better-than-average and interesting public speaking style can only be learned by actually speaking. But just as you don't learn to swim in the deep end, you don't want to practice speaking in public at a real event (even though the consequences of a bad speech are at worst embarrassment and not drowning!).

There is a way to practice presenting and public speaking: Toastmasters. Toastmasters Clubs are public speaking organizations in which members practice the art of public speaking during regular weekly or biweekly meetings. A practical training program teaches Toastmaster members a step-by-step approach to various presenting skills. The first speech, called the Icebreaker, is designed to help you overcome the fear of public speaking. Later speaking engagements allow you to practice specific skills such as tone of voice, speech structure, and use of gestures.
The other important goal of Toastmasters is the development of leadership skills. This is the other Toastmaster development track for which tested learning methods and manuals were developed. Members are expected to fulfill various leadership roles during a Toastmaster meeting, and to take on club leadership roles. A very important leadership skill is the giving of effective feedback. Every Toastmaster speech is evaluated by other members on aspects such as content, unnecessary fillers like "uhm" and "ah", and time management.

A Toastmaster meeting lasts about 90 minutes and is made up of two parts. After the word of welcome by the Toastmaster of the Day, who moderates the first half, the meeting continues with Table Topics: these are topis on a certain theme, "answered" in 1-2 minute impromptu speeches. This means practicing speaking spontaneously on any given topic. After the Table Topics come the prepared speeches: 1-3 members give speeches that aim to practice a specific aspect of public speaking in 5 to 10 minutes. After a short break the second part of the evening concerns feedback. Each speech is evaluated by a more experienced member, who pays specific attention to the skills the presenter aimed to demonstrate. The "uhm-counter" and time counter also give their feedback. Because of the many different feedback roles, all speakers get a whole array of tips and suggestions for improvement for their next speech. And the others learn about giving effective feedback.

The Toastmaster concept was born in the USA in 1924. Until now the only nearby Toastmaster clubs for Paderborners were in Münster and Hannover. But this is going to change! On June 18th 2009 at 19:00 the first Paderborn Toastmaster meeting will be held. Members from the Hannover Speakers (Toastmaster Club Hannover) will be here in Paderborn to introduce and demonstrate the Toastmaster concept and a typical meeting. Location is the Volkshochschule Paderborn, am Rathausplatz 7, in the Vortragsraum on the second floor. Meetings are planned to be in German, and once a month or more in English (depending on interest). All those interested are cordially invited to participate. Participation is free of charge. If you would like to join, please send an email to mathias@raacke.info or register at http://www.toastmasters-paderborn.de.

More information can be found at:

http://www.toastmasters.org
http://www.toastmasters-paderborn.de
http://www.hannover-speakers.de/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toastmasters

Many thanks to Katrijn for translating the original German version of this article!