Toastmasters Education System

The core of the communication track is the Communication and Leadership Program manual (also called the "Basic Manual"), which contains 10 speech projects as outlined below. Completion of this Basic Manual earns the member a CTM (Competent Toastmaster) Award. Every new member is sent a Basic Manual within 48 hours after his/her Application for Membership is received at Toastmasters International World Headquarters. Included in the material sent with the Basic Manual are three other manuals: Your Speaking Voice, Effective Speech Evaluation, and Gestures: Your Body Speaks.

Advanced Program:

After receiving CTM recognition, you can enter the Advanced Communication and Leadership Program, where you can refine and enhance your basic skills. This program consists of 15 Advanced Manuals, each containing five speech projects. Many of the manuals are career-oriented. You choose the manuals you want to complete and the skills you want to learn. Completing two manuals earns an ATM-B Award (Advanced Toastmaster Bronze), two more manuals plus additional projects earn an ATM-S (Advanced Toastmaster Silver), and two more manuals plus more additional projects earn an ATM-G (Advanced Toastmaster Gold).

The manuals are:

The Entertaining Speaker	Specialty Speeches
Humorously Speaking	Special Occasion Speeches
Speaking to Inform	Storytelling
The Discussion Leader	Interpretive Reading
Speeches by Management	Interpersonal Communication
Technical Presentations	Persuasive Speaking
Public Relations	The Professional Speaker
Communicating on Television

The Toastmasters educational program also includes a Leadership Track, where you acquire and practice the skills necessary to be an effective leader. You can serve as a Club Officer, developing skills in planning, training, motivating and managing, which will help you achieve your CL (Competent Leader) Award. You can even become a District Officer, where these skills are further enhanced, while working towards your AL (Advanced Leader) Award.

The Communication Track and the Leadership Track are not mutually exclusive, and you are encouraged to work in both at the same time if you wish. Achieving both your ATM-G and AL Awards entitles you the highest recognition offered by Toastmasters, the DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster).

Speech #1 The Ice Breaker (4-6 minutes)

· To begin speaking before an audience
· To help you understand what areas require particular emphasis in your speaking development
· To introduce yourself to your fellow Club members.

Speech #2 Speak With Sincerity (5-7 minutes)

· To convince the audience of your earnestness, sincerity and conviction on a subject you thoroughly understand
· To confront and control any nervousness you may have

Speech #3 Organize Your Speech (5-7 minutes)

· To organize thoughts into a logical sequence that leads the audience to a clearly defined goal
· To build a speech outline that includes an opening, body and conclusion

Speech #4 Show What You Mean (5-7 minutes)

· To learn the value of gestures and body movements as part of a speech
· To explore the different ways of using body language
· To develop a sense of timing and natural, smooth body movement

Speech #5 Vocal Variety (5-7 minutes)

· To explore the use of voice volume, pitch, rate and quality as assets to your speaking
· To achieve a pleasing, natural voice quality when speaking

Speech #6 Work With Words (5-7 minutes)

· To select precisely the right words required to communicate your ideas clearly and vividly
· To avoid lengthy words and sentences and jargon

Speech #7 Apply Your Skills (5-7 minutes)

· To bring together and apply the communication skills you have learned in the preceding projects
· To organize your speech in a logical manner, following one of the suggested outlines
· To research the facts needed to support your speech
· To make a personal evaluation of your progress

Speech #8 Add Impact to Your Speech (5-7 minutes)

· To learn the value of using props in speaking
· To learn how to use props effectively in your presentations

Speech #9 Persuade With Power (5-7 minutes)

· To present a talk that persuades the audience to accept your proposal or viewpoint
· To achieve this persuasive effect by appealing to the audience's self-interest, building a logical foundation for agreement, and arousing emotional commitment to your cause

Speech #10 Inspire Your Audience (8-10 minutes)

· To understand the mood and feelings of your audience on a particular occasion
· To put those feelings into words and inspire the audience, using all the techniques you have learned so far