Speechcraft Course – Improve your public speeking in 6 weeks

Thinking about becoming a more confident public speaker and presenter?

Speechcraft is a public speaking program designed by Toastmasters International to develop your public speaking ability and much more. You will gain confidence in all aspects of communication, including written and impromptu speeches, audio-visual aids, body language, active listening and supportive evaluation.

Manly Toastmasters held a six week Speechcraft course for 12 registered participants in March and April 2012.  Nine of the participants graduated from the course, having completed three speeches each.  

Feedback from participants was as follows:

• Great course – have recommended to work colleagues
• Excellent course – well prepared
• I wanted to thank you for the wonderful Speechcraft courses you provided. The content and results were far better than my expectations. And your enthusiasm and dynamism helped me a lot in my journey to better confidence and public speaking
• Thanks again for organising such an engaging course.
• It was a great experience and an opportunity to meet cool people!
• Thank you for the opportunity. Absolutely, enjoyed it!
• Thank you again for all your feedback and guidance throughout Speechcraft. The entire experience was invaluable and definitely helped me improve both my public speaking skills as well as my overall confidence.

What can Speechcraft do for you?

Speechcraft programs are short courses in public speaking that are offered by Toastmasters for people not wishing to make the full commitment to join a club.

In a Speechcraft program you will:
• Improve your communication skills so that you are less afraid to talk in front of people.
• Prepare a number of speeches in quick succession.
• Find that your improved presentation skills will win you the respect and admiration of your colleagues.
• Benefit you because participation in Speechcraft will increase your management potential.

How can Speechcraft meet your needs?

Speechcraft can help you because:
• Speechcraft is a program designed for beginners in public speaking.
• The hands-on program provides the “how-to” and the practical experience so critical to progress.
• The Speechcraft program is cost effective as volunteers who are training to be better communicators provide the course.
• An atmosphere of professional camaraderie makes each course a unique learning environment dedicated to personal improvement.
• The program can be tailored to meet your personal objectives.

How does the Program work?

The Speechcraft program exposes each participant to a wide range of communication experiences.
• Each participant receives a Toastmasters Speechcraft Handbook plus a range of other materials.
• These provide valuable reference material after the program is finished.
• The initial prepared speeches are designed with the novice speaker in mind. You need no experience.
• A variety of assigned short speeches help participants develop competency.
• During each meeting a short impromptu speaking session is conducted to help participants learn to think on their feet.
• After giving a prepared speech, each participant receives a constructive speech evaluation. This process recognises speakers for their strengths and provides valuable guidance on how future presentations may be improved.
• Upon completion of the basic course you may continue your training at a Toastmasters Club.

For further information about speechcraft courses contact vpe@manlytoastmasters.org.au

Corporate Speechcraft Courses

A Note for Employers

Speechcraft is high quality training at a price that every firm can afford. If staff lack confidence when speaking in public, that is a handicap. But if they are prepared to put the effort into the course work, you will probably want to help them.

First study the requirements of the course and satisfy yourself that this is an effective program. Then offer to pay the course fees of your staff. When you have seen the results of the course, your firm could develop a policy of encouraging staff members to take the Speechcraft course.

In-house courses

As an alternative, employers can consider conducting an in-house course for their staff, either in or partly in working hours. Some members of Toastmasters Clubs specialise in running such in-house courses over a 6-week period. For further details, contact us.

Manly Multilingual Toastmasters have conducted a Corporate Speechcraft Course at 245 Pittwater Rd, Manly.

Also, a wide variety of Speechcraft programs are conducted by District 70 Toastmasters Clubs throughout NSW and the ACT each year.

Senior Toastmaster members provide programs in the Sydney CBD specialising for the needs of business people. Most participants in these programs are sponsored by their employers.

Elsewhere, other Toastmasters Clubs offer Speechcraft programs within their local communities. This is done as a community service, and charges are usually very reasonable. For details of future community programs, see Community Speechcraft.