To me, “Why did you join Toastmasters?” is
a very interesting question which everyone answers differently. Many people
join Toastmasters to become better speakers of English, but as someone who
speaks English as a first language, I find myself excluded from this group. I
would say that while I am a native speaker of English, I am not a native
speaker of public speaking.
Giving speeches is like learning a
completely different language. There are rules and structures that you must
abide by when giving a speech that in daily conversation come off as just
awkward or presumptuous. So first and foremost, I joined Toastmasters to try to
become fluent at public speaking. After 3 years, I am still not quite there yet,
but I continue growing as a speaker which is something that drives me to keep pushing
myself to be better.
Secondly, I love creative writing, and
strangely enough giving speeches presents me with this opportunity. When you
give a speech, you should be excited and looking forward to people hearing what
you have to say. Therefore, it is important to make a speech that is both
personal and personalized that allows you to share an experience with your
audience. If you give a speech that is dry and boring, it won`t be a good
speech.
Lastly and most importantly, I joined
Toastmasters to rid myself of my phobia of speaking in front of an audience.
Ever since I was young, speaking in front of an audience, big or small, made me
nervous. I would start fidgeting, stuttering and even sweating profusely as I
tried to get my nerves under control. While I am still not an expert in this
department, I have gotten better at it with each speech I give in Toastmasters.
That concludes my story. One of many that
started by answering the simple question “Why Toastmasters?”So what are you
waiting for? Ask yourself the question “Why Toastmasters?” and see where it
takes you.
(Jeffery Wong)
