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Pooi To girls are encouraged to express themselves openly with confi dence,
regardless of their abilities. With Toastmasters introduced to the school
last year, we challenged ourselves and started the English Debate Team this
year. Aft er countless eff orts and preparati ons, a new cohort of debaters and
toastmasters took a great leap and marched into another level of eloquence.

// TOASTMASTERS //

When you hear the name “Toastmasters” I bet you probably think of something like Master Chef or best toast desserts.
But it’s absolutely not that kind of thing. Toastermasters is a youth leadership programme, training our “toasti es’” in public
speaking . If you paid att enti on to the morning sharing of the EAC, you would fi nd Toastmasters’ meeti ngs are very fun and
fruitf ul. Unlike formal training, a toastmasters’ meeti ng is lot more relaxing. Actually, we treat every training as a gathering,
sharing diff erent point views on various topics.
“Hey Sumee, your table topic speech is toasted!” What? TOASTED? TABLE TOPIC? Yes! Don’t doubt it, they are only words
but they are magic words between Toasti es. If you are one of us, then you should know all of this special jargon. Our meeti ngs
are usually divided into two parts. The fi rst one is the prepared speech secti on and the other is on the table topics. For the
former, speakers can prepare a 4 minute speech before the meeti ng, but the latt er is the most thrilling part as we need to
start a spontaneous speech immediately based on topics given by the Masters. At the same ti me, there are some facilitators
like ti mers, table topic master, ah-counters and speech evaluators. In short, everyone gets a role in a meeti ng which everyone
can enjoy. Undeniably, my favourite role must be the ah-counter; you will fi nd it very fun when you are noti ng the speakers
saying “arhs…ems…erhs…ands.” As an experienced ah-counter, let me tell you that teachers are always the queens of ‘ahs’. I
won’t tell you who, but just make a guess about who always says"Ok girls, Ok, Ok, Ok."
In our meeti ngs we usually treat others’ speech as a sharing. Once we got a topic about dreams, and through listening to
diff erent speeches from “Toasti es” we got to know more about each other’s desires in life. Plus , I learn more about others.
Rather than saying that we are a team, we are a family which is full of love. Aft er a speech we will give the speaker a round
of applause, wholeheartedly and passionately. Tapping our feet is another one of our usual practi ces, quite a special way
to show our appreciati on to others. Someti mes, the others will laugh at my meaningless speeches, but someti mes, when I
say something deep, like my downbeat insights about my future, they will sympathise with me and encourage me to strive
for a bett er life. It’s all about spirit, the spirit of our Toasti es. As you can see, Toastmasters is really a comfort zone for me to
unwind. Plus, a place for me to express myself all for one and one for all.
In retrospect, Toastmasters has given me countless memories and enormous chances. To be honest, I was not a fl uent
speaker before I joined this programme. I was not good at brainstorming ideas or elaborati ng . I sti ll remember how tedious
and uninspiring my fi rst table topic was. Don't menti on that again, ahem…let’s move on. Nowadays, I am able to speak for
at least 1 and a half minutes on a table topic with relevant ideas. At least I am willing to try now and I have mode a stunning
improvement, getti ng a great deal bett er within a year’s training. It’s extremely useful for my DSE speaking examinati on, the
1 minute response part. I am confi dent that I will get a bett er result in that paper and, more importantly, I am not afraid of
giving an impromptu speech anymore.
I really need to give a huge thanks to ToastMasters. Why? Toastmasters has really brought me a lot-friendships,
improvement in my English oral, boosti ng my confi dence and also my goals in life. I love watching TED talks, and I always feel
inspired. Since I joined Toastmasters, I have found out how powerful a great speech is. It changes one’s life, inspires one’s mind,
and touches one’s heart. How incredible that a speech can give people such big changes and the driving force to change a
life. Take Nick Vujicic, whose speeches are an example to show how powerful they are to change a rebellious kid’s life, to
stop drug addicts from getti ng trapped. That helped me come up with a goal, hoping that one day, I can use my own words
to inspire all who listen. I can use my words to touch hearts, no matt er who is listening, which nati on they belong to or what
type of people they are.
What I gain is totally greater than what I lost. I am so pleased and lucky that I didn't give up Toastmasters. When I get into
university I will conti nue.