Toastmasters

[Alex82]

Has anyone had any experience, be it positive or negative, with the Toastmasters program?
I've been going for a couple of months so far. Everyone there is very supportive and really want to help you improve.

I did have one lady who evaluated one of my speeches and tracked the number of "ums" that I had during my presentation. She let everyone know that I said um 72 times during my speech and that I should probably try to work on that. Unfortunately "um" is my filler word of choice so it was frustrating to here her say that...

[mo885]

I don't have any experience with toastmasters, but I was thinking about joining it. I'm glad to here that you find it helpful. Good luck with it.

[springyrice]

Has anyone had any experience, be it positive or negative, with the Toastmasters program?
I've been going for a couple of months so far. Everyone there is very supportive and really want to help you improve.

I did have one lady who evaluated one of my speeches and tracked the number of "ums" that I had during my presentation. She let everyone know that I said um 72 times during my speech and that I should probably try to work on that. Unfortunately "um" is my filler word of choice so it was frustrating to here her say that...

I really admire you for sticking with this. I wish you all the best with it. Have you done one of you speeches on your stutter, if you don't mind me asking?

I used to live in London and went to two different groups about 3 years ago. But I only visited each of them the once twelve months apart. I think it was a step too far for me at that time of my life. I was trying to immerse myself in the experience of stammering in the hope of desensitizing myself to it. However it was all I could do to stand up and introduce myself, I was petrified. There was so many people there, which I know is kind of the point, but I didn't feel right being there. I think perhaps even if I had never stammered I still wouldn't be good in a big group of people. At the first group I went to there was a guy who stammered there who had clearly made great progress which was great to see. I spoke to him and he was really encouraging but it took another twelve months for me to pluck up the courage to go again. I realised that I was forcing myself to do something I really wanted to do and I was, in a sense, trying to run before I could walk. I decide to concentrate on talking more in a small group of friends and work colleagues, a situation where I would usually say very little for fear of stuttering. I realised that if I had little confidence in speaking to a small group I could hardly expect myself to suddenly be able to speak in front of 50 people.
I don't mean this to sound all negative. I felt very positive about Toastmasters itself. As you say, everyone was very nice and was impressed that I'd come along despite having a stammer. I felt very positive that I had actually gone at all :). I feel like I have a lot more confidence now so I thought I might give it another shot. Unfortunately there are no Toastmasters groups within 100 miles of where I live.

[thatCALIdude]

my theapist wants me to join one once my program is completed

[Jaykon]

Alex does she know u stutter?

[grantM]

She is doing her best to help you sound I guess more fluent. I would make her aware of your filler word tactic. I would also use it as a sign that people have noticed this habit and perhaps work on it also to get rid of it

[easyonset]

I have been a member of Toastmasters for the past 4 years. It has opened up some many doors in terms of communication and public speaking.

I told everyone that I stutter during my first speech to the group and I find that people respect that. As you said, they are all very supportive and they are all there to improve their own communication skills, so they can totally relate to what we go through.

I initially joined a Toastmasters of other stutterers who have gone through therapy, but eventually moved on to a "regular" Toastmasters club so I could practice my speech in a broader context. I hope you continue with it; I honestly believe it is one of the best things that a stutter can do for him/herself.

I actually find that some of the techniques Toastmasters covers to be a big help with transferring my speech therapy techniques. For example, Toastmasters teaches you about "vocal variety" which I have combined with speech therapy techniques for more natural sounding controlled speech.

In terms of your experience with the "um" counter lady, we have a "mercy" rule at our club where anything over five is just announced as "five-plus ums" rather than "seventy-two ums." It is more sensitive to the speaker but also gets the point across regarding filler words. There is no point in embarrassing the speaker. Perhaps you could suggest something similar.

Good luck!

[stutteringgirl4]

Has anyone had any experience, be it positive or negative, with the Toastmasters program?
I've been going for a couple of months so far. Everyone there is very supportive and really want to help you improve.

I did have one lady who evaluated one of my speeches and tracked the number of "ums" that I had during my presentation. She let everyone know that I said um 72 times during my speech and that I should probably try to work on that. Unfortunately "um" is my filler word of choice so it was frustrating to here her say that...

I say "um" alot too I probably should work on that cause my friends say it makes me sound dumb but they know why I do it. Anyways.... I'm glad you like toastmasters! My mom wants me to go but I hear you have to make speeches and stuff and that pretty much terrifies me :eek:

[MarkBulger]

Good comments here already. Let me add some thoughts.




I did have one lady who evaluated one of my speeches and tracked the number of "ums" that I had during my presentation. She let everyone know that I said um 72 times during my speech and that I should probably try to work on that. Unfortunately "um" is my filler word of choice so it was frustrating to here her say that...


When I was in college, an instructor told us this story. His father was a college professor (and his teacher), and when one of the students in his lab practiced a presentation in front of their group, he would give then all foam balls. Every time you said an "ummm" or "ahhh," the entire group would throw balls at you. It didn't take long for everyone to be broken of the habit.

You might say that this is different - "ummm" is just a place-holder you use to avoid stuttering - which would be much worse. The problem is that "ummms" or any other avoidence mechanism isn't in place of stuttering - it's actually part of the stuttering. Anything that you do while speaking that's not part of language needed to communicate is part of the stuttering.

It's easy for us, as stutterers, to think that we're getting away with something when we're not actually locked up or caught in a repeating stutter. I know I'm constantly guilty as charged. I look down, I change a word in mid-sentence, I interject an "ummm," and I never actually reach that helpless stuttering state, so I think I've been perfectly fluent. The truth is, I know that anyone watching me and listening to me knows that there's something going on, even if they don't quite know what it is.

I'd say this woman did you a favor. She's there to tell you what you're doing wrong, and she did. Imagine if you had videotapped yourself doing the same presentation. Wouldn't you think "damn, that's a lot of 'umms'? You've taken the big step and joined a public speaking self-help group. Many stutters could never get that far. Now that you're there, there's no reason that you shouldn't high, rather than have people thinking "he does good - for a stutterer."

[Mooks]

Iv been thinking for a long time about joining a local toastmasters group. Seems like a challenge.


/off to research if it costs money

[thegreatdebator]

I've had a great experience so far with Toastmasters. I joined this past summer (and slacked off during the fall), and while I haven't made any huge gains in fluency, toward the end of the summer I could feel that myself freaking out less when I got in front of the group. Both groups that I've been a part of have been super nice, so I don't think you've got much to lose. Also, my first speech was kind of a disaster. I struggled through the first paragraph in about 15 minutes, then summed up the rest and sat down. But they were really supportive and didn't kick me out or anything :-)

Try out a couple of groups and find one that feels right to you. All Toastmasters clubs definitely are not created equal. Good luck!

[Punjabi]

Toastmasters is one of the best things that a stutter can join. In fact, I'd
say, it is a right of passage for any stutterer who wants to get greater
fluency.

I've been a member for over 2 years, but didn't go for a whole year due to
extreme fear and nerves. But then I joined the committee - and this FORCED
me to go more often, and I'm really enjoying it. Of course, I get nervous
and tense and have sever blocks when on the stage, but I've always
acheived a lot of success. I feel much less fear nowdays. I have given 4 speeches in this times, and have won the 'best speech' ribbon on two of
those occasions. I've gained so much more confidence as a person doing this.
I've become much more de-sensitized to my stutter.

I cannot recommend Toastmasters highly enough.

But...and here's the but.....5 years ago, I could not have joined. I wasn't in
the right mental frame to take this challenge on. Jumping in the deep end can
sometimes make people drown, instead of teaching them to swim.

So, pls join only when you ready.

Hope that helps, and hope kick butt!
P

[gowtheflo]

It was probably frustrating to hear how many times u used a filler out loud, at the same time, it might have been a good thing to hear how many times u do use fillers. Those do help when there are times that the word wont come out, this is true. but how bout lessening the times u use um. maybe light contact or easy onset. experiment a little. anyway, toastmasters is a great tool and i hope u acheive great success from it.

[ThisCharmingMan]

Yeah, I used tp attend Toastmasters when I was working for JPMorgan Chase as they had their own chapter. I found it really useful and would like to join again.

[czor]

I was the "um" "ahhhh" champion. It is a filler word for me. I Did not like when introduced to new members by the group-Craig use to stutter but since being a member he does not stutter anymore..... Hardly. But overall a good experience.