But then you remember the many carefully learned speaking lessons and delivery techniques you've practiced weekly as a member of Toastmasters International. Suddenly, you are relaxed, self-confident, ready to pace yourself, and prepared to stay focused on your message. Thanks to Toastmasters, you are positive your speech will be a success.

A brief toast to history

Dr Ralph Smedley, who wanted youngsters to be trained in the art of public speaking, founded Toastmasters International as a non-profit organization over 80 years ago. A Scottish expatriate named A S Altkens opened the Bangkok Toastmasters Club in 1955 and invited Thais to practice their English oratory skills. It was the first chapter in Southeast Asia. Today, Toastmasters International is in 90 countries and has over 200,000 members.

There are approximately 19 Toastmasters clubs throughout Thailand. Active membership ranges from 10-40 members per club. All club business and speeches are conducted in English. There is also a chapter in Bangkok that conducts its meetings and presentations in Thai, and foreigners are invited to improve their formal presentations in Thai. All chapters share the common goal of improving communication skills through public and impromptu speaking.

Overcoming your fears of public speaking

Toastmasters clubs strive to develop English skills through the art of public speaking. The core method teaches members how to speak publicly by actually doing it in front of a supportive audience. There are no instructors or formal lessons. Most clubs meet once a week, where members take turns speaking at a podium and critiquing each other. With practice, confidence gradually builds. Soon, members move on to advanced skills in communication and leadership.

The first step toward participation is overcoming shyness to speak in front of a group. Paisal Sae-lor, who has earned the title of Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM) after 16 years of membership, points out that many learners are reluctant to speak. ``They feel they are not ready,'' Paisal says, ``so the first thing we do is encourage them to speak up.''

However, even individuals with top degrees in professional fields can experience shyness when it comes to public speaking. Bhunnapa Emarath, who has a master's from the Asian Institute of Technology, admits that: ``I feel uncomfortable when I have to speak in front of people. My brain becomes blank, and I feel embarrassed.''

A graduate from the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University, Dr Yotsapon Thewjitcharoen, admits that the traditional way that English is taught in Thai schools contributes to his self-consciousness ``to speak English with foreigners.''

At the heart of this fear is the perception that making mistakes will result in a loss of face (embarrassment). So, Toastmasters provides a supportive environment to improve English skills. Members learn public speaking together and critique each other as they practice.

Mindful methods

Toastmasters meetings expose members to various speaking challenges. For example, a special ``table talk'' exercise requires members to deliver a two-minute impromptu speech based on a surprise question. A section of each meeting is reserved for telling jokes and conversations on humorous topics. There is also a block of time available for members to present longer and more formal speeches planned in advance.

Topics are open, but tend to be light-hearted. Controversial issues, such as religion, sex and politics are avoided. ``We encourage new members to focus on communication first,'' Paisal says. The topic choice isn't as important as practicing English and building confidence. ``We are taught in Toastmasters to think on our feet and to develop our ability to properly judge a situation and respond to it,'' Yotsaporn adds.

Toastmasters' methods are contained in a series of books on public speaking. The material includes information about warming up the audience (``ice breakers''), body language, visual aids, and speech organization. Members advance to higher levels on completion of these books and the successful delivery of a number of speeches specified within. After members have reached a level of competency, they choose communication or leadership as a path within the organization. The latter includes administrative work and the development of new membership.

Evaluation

A key to improving oratory skills is learning from direct feedback - in the form of light-hearted constructive criticism - from fellow members. Toastmasters clubs assign members specific critiquing roles that alternate among members each week.

Each role requires public speaking to fulfill the task. The Toastmaster-of-the-Day, for example, acts as a master of ceremonies, introduces speakers and keeps the meeting on schedule. It is a challenging position, often delegated to advanced members.

A time-keeper restrains speeches from going into overtime by holding up yellow and red warning signs. A grammarian has three minutes to discuss corrections with speakers. Another member counts each speaker's repeated words and space filling utterances, such as ah, um, and uh. More importantly, each speaker is assigned a personal evaluator who provides detailed suggestions on improving their skills. All constructive criticisms are delivered in a friendly and courteous manner.

Finally, votes are tallied at the end of meetings to decide the best presenter and best evaluator. But everyone who participates is a winner.

Turning weaknesses into strengths

One advantage of constructive feedback from other members is that it helps speakers to define and correct problems as they present each week. It is easy to forget about small details when one is nervous or too focused on what to say next. Members learn from friendly evaluations and courteous critiques. Newer members gradually overcome obstacles and improve their vocabulary, timing and delivery.

Even though many members are trained in professional fields, such as engineering, medicine or law, they still have to confront similar insecurities when speaking publicly.

Dr Weeranut Chantachaeng, from Chulalongkorn University, now studying at the Institute of Dermatology says, ``When the audience's reaction didn't match my expectations, I had to accept my imperfections despite my best preparations,'' and adds, ``I learned to cope with that and control myself, and not make the situation worse.''

Yotsapon claims that the Bangkok Toastmasters Club has helped him regulate and control the pace of his delivery. He now realizes that, ``how you say something can be as important as what you say.''

Distinguished Toastmaster Paisal observes that the two-minute impromptu speech is most difficult for him, since it is difficult for him to shorten what he wants to say.

In contrast, Bhunnapa is struggling with a tendency to speak too briefly because Toastmasters encourages speakers to spend time supporing their major points with evidence. The club helps her to move more naturally while speaking and to feel more confident. She likes to ``notice and learn from other members.''

``Speech giving doesn't require extreme confidence,'' Weeranut says, ``it requires admitting and appreciating who you are, and who your audience is.'' For her, there is a difference between talking and communicating. A good speaker conveys valuable information and involves others in the audience.

Bhunnapa emphasizes the need to speak with native English speakers and to set an environment to learn English naturally, such as by reading English newspapers or watching English-language films. She points out that verbal English skills will be lost if one does not practice speaking the language often.

``To speak better English, you need to concentrate on it and find chances to use it,'' Yotsapon adds, ``Toastmasters meetings are a supportive place to improve your oral English skills.''

How to participate

Toastmasters International clubs are useful for Thai university students and businesspersons wanting to improve their English speaking skills. Most Bangkok chapters have an open policy in admitting new members. It usually does not matter if you are a native English speaker or a Thai citizen. University students and other groups are also welcome to set up their own chapters by arrangement.

The main Bangkok branch (#2010) meets every Monday from 6:15PM to 8PM at the Indra Regent Hotel on the third floor in the Sapphire room. There is an initial 3,300 baht membership fee. After that, dues are assessed at 1,800 baht every six months. Anyone is welcome to attend a few sessions for free to observe how meetings are arranged.

Nobody escapes a Toastmasters meeting without facing their fear of public speaking, so don't be surprised if you're asked to participate with an impromptu two-minute speech even on your first visit!

Editor's note: For more information, contact Paisal Sae-lor at 081-622-0948 or email him at loveradiator@yahoo.com . Key websites that contain information and contact resources are at www.bangkok-toastmasters.org and www.toastmasters.org .

The First Thai (language) Toastmasters Club meets 6:15PM to 8:30PM, on the first, third, and fifth Wednesdays of each month at the Banana House Restaurant, third floor of the Duantip building, Silom Road, near the Sala Daeng BTS Station. For more information, call Paisal at the above phone number or send an email to v_rapan@asianet.co.th , or supin_c@cpf.co.th