VP Toastmasters is offered in collaboration with Toastmasters International for interested Grade 11 learners.

When I started toastmasters, I was like most people, terrified of public speaking. I didn’t have confidence and was shaky (even doing orals in class). I wanted to improve so I joined Toastmasters. The first meeting was formal and structured, not something I was accustomed to. However, it is amazing how quickly one adapts. Throughout the course, each member prepares and delivers speeches, a number of impromptu speeches, and is involved in group work activities. You also learn to evaluate your peers and you get to know a lot about them. In my experience, I have learned invaluable tools that have helped me to speak with confidence in a friendly, supportive environment. I would highly recommend Toastmasters to anyone wanting to refine or develop their skills and confidence in their public speaking.

Toastmasters is an 8 week course offered to Grade 11’s, which helps in developing our public speaking skills. The course has also taught us how to be confident and determined when delivering speeches, being confident in using gestures and ensuring the correct tone of voice and vocabulary to get your message across. It has been a tremendous experience for me, learning to communicate and connect with my audience in a formal setting.

I have made new friends through Toastmasters since I hardly knew most of the people. I learnt about different people’s lifestyles, characteristics and developing a mutual trust and respect for people who had vastly different opinions and values to myself.

Mr Barry and his wonderful team of advisors, were always helpful and assisted us in trying to make a success of meetings and trying to get us to be better leaders and communicators. We received a manual/workbook, which enabled us to prepare speeches properly, evaluate one another constructively so that we could learn from one another in a formal but relaxed setting. Ms Whitehead from Victoria Park Grey was like a mother to us, reprimanding us and encouraging us at appropriate times.

This has been a life changing experience and equipped me with life long skills. 2011 Grade 11’s jump at the opportunity when the time comes and you will not be disappointed.

OKUHLE WILLIAMS