Toastmasters

Imagine holding an entire audience in the palm of your hand where they hang on every word you say! It is widely known that public speaking ranks as one of the top three fears of humanity. How do you overcome this fear? Enroll for a Toastmasters Youth Leadership Programme at Laerskool Anton van Wouw.

Toastmasters is a worldwide public speaking organization, whose aim is to improve leadership and communication skills in individuals. The courses at Laerskool Anton van Wouw are run in conjunction with an adult Toastmasters club. The courses equip the participant to be able to speak confidently in public. A course comprises six training sessions culminating in a banquet where the participants display their acquired skills to their family and friends. The banquet is the highlight of the course.

Laerskool Anton van Wouw’s first Toastmaster course was offered in 2008, where 20 learners were enrolled. It has grown from strength to strength and currently three courses are held annually, namely two basic courses for grade 6 and 7 learners and an advanced course for grade 7 learners who have excelled in the basic course.  The advanced course hones the skills acquired in the basic course and exposes the participants to more advanced public speaking skills, such as emotive and persuasive speaking.

Public speaking is an essential life skill which every person, young or old, needs to acquire. It is a skill which will help an individual to “improve their argument without raising their voice”.

The courses improve one’s communication and leadership skills and equips one for the future, as there is no job where these skills will not be needed. In the words of Brian Tracy: “Communication is a skill you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.”

As the following quote states:

“F. E. A. R. has two meanings:

Forget Everything And Run

OR

Face Everything And Rise”

The latter will be your reality if you attend a Toastmasters Course at Laerskool Anton van Wouw.