PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR TOASTMASTERS REPORT 2011 - PART I

Toastmasters is a hands-on course to strengthen and teach Public Speaking skills for Transition Year students. Unlike Debating, the content of speeches is not important, but being able to speak with confidence in front of a peer-group is highlighted. The emphasis is very much on learning by doing.

Students have to prepare and deliver at least two five minute speeches on any subject they choose, as a selection from 2004/2005 will demonstrate: Dreams, Embarrassing Things, Travels with Family, Sister’s Wedding, Teenagers, Things that Affect Us, McDonalds, Blink 182, Drugs. Speakers volunteer in advance of a meeting and have a week to prepare and practice the speech.

Each week, volunteer students evaluate these speeches in a very constructive manner. Positive elements of a speech are affirmed and suggestions as to how to improve the delivery of a speech are shared in a very safe environment.

In addition, some of the participants are elected every four weeks to act as Chairperson, Secretary and Sergeant at Arms and so have the opportunity to learn how a meeting is conducted and the roles of various officers.

The course takes place on Thursday evenings from 7.30 p.m. until 9.30 p.m. This includes a break for tea/coffee, which seems to get longer and longer as the weeks go by, and participants get to know each other. Half of the participants come from Our Lady’s School.

The course is facilitated by Mr. Tom Woulfe and Fr. Richard. Every meeting includes a short (six minute) talk from these and a general evaluation of how the students ran the meeting at the end.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR TOASTMASTERS REPORT 2011 - PART I

Please click here for some photographs of "Toastmasters 2010 2011".