International Speech and Table Topics Competition (Area A4)

I got 1st runner-up!

The last Humorous Speech Contest, I did not manage to go for the Division level competition. So I'm now making it a point to go for the division A competition on 9 May 2010.

My speech was "It's All In Your Mind".

I thank those of you who went for the competition today. Your support and 'All the Best' gave me courage and confidence to remember a speech I wrote only the night before.

I also thank the person who gave me pointers on my previous speech, thus my need to rewrite a whole new speech.

As you give more speeches, it becomes more difficult to find topics. No matter how confident you are, if you can't find a topic, the confidence level falls.

However, putting together your ideas and making it your own great speech is not difficult.

A few pointers to finding a topic:

1. Imagine what would be relevant to your audience. Topics that are close to the audience's heart, will bring you nods and 'yes' and a big round of applause.
2. Put your topic into a manner where your examples emphasise your topic.
   
3. Repeat your message at least 3 times throughout your speech, ingraining the message you want the audience to remember.

Finding a topic requires research. Writing the speech requires concentration. Rehearsing your speech is important.

Because I finished writing my speech only the night before the contest, I read it out loud twice before I fell asleep, rearranging certain paragraphs in my mind. When I woke up, I read it out again one more time. And I read it out loud again on my way to the venue. Lastly, I wrote out the sequence of my speech in point-form to make sure I remember what to say before and after.

I share my experiences, in the hope that those of you who read this will be encouraged and write better speeches than I have.

Lastly, PLEASE DO NOT WRITE YOUR SPEECH AT THE LAST MINUTE!

I'll see all of you on the next MIM Toastmasters Club meeting!

Club Speech & Table Topics Contest 2010

Congratulations to all those who participated in the contest. For those who took part for the first time, give yourself a pat on your back because you have all done very well!



Speech Contest Winners

Au Yong Lucy (Champion)
Charlotte Goh (1st Runner-up)
Ee Jun Wai (2nd Runner-up)



Table Topics Contest Winners

Charlotte Goh (Champion)
Ee Jun wai (1st Runner-up)
Md Shaharis (2nd Runner-up)

Silver Medal - Toastmasters International Speech Contest - John Zimmer - District 59 - May 2009

I find his speech very interesting with good analogy and content.

I have been searching on YouTube for topics for this upcoming speech contest. Have found one!

Hope to see more of you join the contest.

More photos...

DTM Gerald Green... Grandfather of Toastmasters Malaysia.

SPEECHCRAFT (part 3)

Young enterprising people who has big dreams and powerful ambitions.

Livestock farmer. Entrepeneurs. Restaurants.

All have a purpose and reason to join the Speechcraft program - to improve communication and to speak more confidently.

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Speaking confidently and communicating effectively does not come overnight. Putting your thoughts and feelings into words is an art.

How we speak in our mother-tongue and in another language can be very different, especially if we do not speak it often.

However, with constant exposure to more english materials such as watching television and reading the newspapers and speaking more in english to others.

As we know of the importance of English language in our everyday life, wanting to improve and taking the first step to come to this program, is commendable.

Therefore, continue this journey in improving oneself as learning never ends.

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SPEECHCRAFT (part 2)

Some pictures of the workshop...

Now is the time for project speech 3!!

After having to write speech 2, the speeches in the afternoon seem lacking of quality and preparation - highlighting the point that practice and preparation is essential in public speaking.

Some of the topics for speech 3:

Money Can't Buy Everything
Financial Management
Priceless Experience
Internal Hemorrhaging
How to Love Reading
STRESS
Benefits of Online Game
My Superhero
Drinking Water VS Mineral Water
My Sons
My Project (Now and Soon)
How to Avoid Traffic Accidents
My Best Friend
MLM VS Real Business
Anger Management

Therefore, kudos to all participants who had put in so much effort in their various speeches and evaluation.

SPEECHCRAFT PROGRAM 23 & 24 JAN 2010

As I write this during the second prepared speech presentation for this program, it is interesting to note how everyone has picked up public speaking skills so fast.

Many thanks to all members who has also given up their weekend to help out as speakers or advisors during the speechcraft program.

Each of the 15 participants have such hunger to learn, to improve, to be more confident.

I wondered about when I was their age (between 19 - 22?) What was I doing?

It brought to mind a presentation I did for my Higher English course in Taylor's College. There was a session where each of us had to complete a presentation and I was to be judged by my fellow classmates.

We had the freedom to pick our own title and it took me one week to figure out whether I wanted to talk about music or a book or about food.

However, I managed to finally find a topic, "How to Pick Up Girls" for my presentation.

Giving pointers to guys on how to pick up girls, from their appearance, to the use of cologne and pick up lines, I managed to make everyone laugh so hard, they could hardly hear what I said.

At the end of the presentation, I had a 9.9 rating from my classmates!!

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The speeches by the speechcrafters are getting better and better. Their actions are getting more and more confident. Everyone is laughing at reasons why women likes shopping.

Some mucking around, VPE and VPPR. (not paying attention)

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Speechcraft Participants with MIM Toastmasters Club of Johor Bahru:

1. Norbaizura
2. Fadhila
3. Aidah
4. Fazli
5. Shah
6. Risha
7. Rihah
8. Endang
9. Norhidayah
10. Nur Azeela
11. Jihah
12. Yunus
13. Adli
14. Moon
15. Zakiah

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I will be writing more about their 3rd speech later... tata...