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The Toastmasters Communication Programme consists of the following awards:
- Competent Communicator (CC)
- Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB)
- Advanced Communicator Silver (ACS)
- Advanced Communicator Gold (ACG)
In order to receive these awards, Toastmasters must complete a number of assignments, the first of which is the Manual for the Competent Communicator Award.
 The Competent Communicator Manual is designed to give new members a strong start in developing a core set of skills for public speaking. Each of the ten projects in this basic manual focuses on a certain aspect of speech making - from organisation to delivery.
The Manual (also called the "basic manual") helps you develop the basic skills you need to prepare and present an effective speech.
Ten Projects
The manual is organized into ten separate projects, each with its own individual focus or objective. An extremely effective tool in developing your speaking skills, the manual does not tell you exactly what to do or what to speak about, but rather it provides a set of guidelines for you to think about as you prepare your speech.
The ten speeches in the Basic Manual can be divided into three broad categories: (1) beginning speeches, (2) "mechanical" speeches, and (3) "put it all together" speeches. Speeches #1 through #3 should probably be given in order and #10 should definitely be the last speech. Outside of those limitations, there is flexibility within each group as to the order you present them, although it is recommended that you follow the order of the manual.
As an essential part of the Toastmasters programme, a fellow Toastmaster will evaluate each speech you give, providing positive feedback and suggestions for improvement, as necessary.
Competent Communicator Award
After completing the Competent Communicator Manual, members earn Competent Communicator Award (CC) and are able to focus their efforts on the projects in the advanced speech manuals of the Toastmasters program.
The chart below lists the ten projects in the Manual:
| |
Project Title |
Time (min) |
Objective |
|
1 |
The Icebreaker |
4-6 |
Introduce yourself to your fellow club members |
|
2 |
Organise your Speech |
5-7 |
Organization/construction of your speech |
|
3 |
Get to the Point |
5-7 |
Showing sincerity/earnestness on a topic of interest to you |
|
4 |
How to Say It |
5-7 |
Precision in word choice, avoiding jargon |
|
5 |
Your Body Speaks |
5-7 |
Use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact |
|
6 |
Vocal Variety |
5-7 |
Use voice volume, pitch, rate and quality |
|
7 |
Research your Topic |
5-7 |
Collect information about your topic from numerous sources |
|
8 |
Get Comfortable with Visual Aids |
5-7 |
Using props and visual aids such as OHP, Powerpoint |
|
9 |
Persuade with Power |
5-7 |
Persuading the audience to your point of view |
|
10 |
Inspire Your Audience |
8-10 |
Inspiring your audience to achieve a higher level of beliefs or achievement |
- The Icebreaker
Time: 4-6 minutes
Objectives: To begin speaking before an audience, to help you understand what areas require particular emphasis in your speaking development and to introduce yourself to your club members.
Download the full Icebreaker Speech Project.
- Organise Your Speech
Time: 5-7 minutes
Objectives: To select an appropriate outline which allows listeners to easily follow and understand you, using supporting material and transitioning from one idea to the next appropriately. Use a strong opening and conclusion.
- Get to the Point
Time: 5-7 minutes
Objectives: To prepare a speech that has a clear general purpose (to inform, persuade, entertain or inspire) and a specific purpose, well organised, projecting sincerity and conviction.
- How To Say It
Time: 5-7 minutes
Objectives: To use words and arrangements of words that effectively communicate your message, making sure it is clear, accurate, and descriptive. Use of simple words and correct grammar, with a clear purpose and be well organised.
- Your Body Speaks
Time: 5-7 minutes
Objectives: To use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact to express your message and make your body language smooth and natural. You'll also evaluate your progress.
- Vocal Variety
Time: 5-7 minutes
Objectives: To explore the use of voice volume, pitch, rate, and quality as assets to your speaking, and to achieve a pleasing, natural voice quality when speaking
- Research Your Topic
Time: 5-7 minutes
Objectives: To collect information about your chosen topic from a variety of sources, and to support your points and opinions with specific facts, examples and illustrations..
- Get Comfortable with Visual Aids
Time: 5-7 minutes
Objectives: To learn the value of props in speaking, and learn how to use props and visual aids effectively in your presentations.
- Persuade with Power
Time: 5-7 minutes
Objectives: To present a talk that persuades the audience to accept your proposal or viewpoint. You'll need 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.
- Inspire Your Audience
Time: 8-10 minutes
Objectives: Your final project is to understand the mood and feelings of your audience on a particular occasion, and to put those feelings into words to inspire the audience, using all the techniques you have learned so far. You'll also evaluate your progress again.
 The Advanced Communication Programme trains you for different speaking situations that Toastmasters can encounter outside the club environment. There are currently 15 Advanced Communication manuals, and each manual includes five speech projects which challenges you to further improve your skills in a specific area of public speaking.
Within each of these advanced manuals, the individual projects all focus on a single, specific theme to help you improve your speaking skills in that particular area. Some manuals focus on "real life" situations such as public relations and technical briefings, while others help develop more widely applicable skills such as humour and storytelling.
Go to Advanced Communicator for more reasons why you should complete the advanced manuals.
Advanced Communication Manuals
|
Speaking to Inform |
The projects in this manual will help you give informative and interesting speeches. Topics covered include the demonstration talk, the fact-finding report, the abstract concept and resources for informing. Ideal for people in the workplace who have to give regular presentations to colleagues and clients. An excellent first manual for the advanced speaker. |
|
Special Occasion Speeches |
This manual is for those people who have to give a wedding speech, make a presentation, or a farewell speech. It provides instruction in giving toasts, speaking in praise, "roasting" someone, and presenting and accepting awards. This manual allows you to personalise your speeches and use life stories. An ideal manual to work through early in your advanced speaking career. |
|
Technical Presentations |
The projects in this manual will help you prepare and present briefings, proposals, technical papers and technical team presentations. An ideal manual for people in technical roles in the workplace. |
|
Public Relations |
This complete guide to preparing and delivering the public relations speeches will help you develop resources and techniques, "speak under fire", and handle the media talk. A wonderful manual for people in customer-facing situations. |
|
Speeches by Management |
This practical manual is ideal for those people in a management situation in the workplace, helping you successfully handle a variety of speaking situations. Subjects covered include briefings, technical speeches, motivational talks and confrontations. |
|
Specialty Speeches |
Speakers must be able to speak in many situations and this challenging manual will help you. Types of speeches covered include impromptu speeches, sales presentations, introductions, inspirational speeches, and oral interpretations. |
|
Facilitating Discussion (formerly The Discussion Leader) |
This manual offers guidance in presenting workshop and conference presentations. Role-playing and problem-solving sessions are also covered. This manual is a must for managers, trainers, teachers and administrators. |
|
The Professional Speaker |
The Professional Speaker manual is a complete guide to becoming a professional speaker. Subjects covered include speaking as a company representative and speaking for money, something we would all like to do! |
|
The Entertaining Speaker |
This manual includes valuable information on how to give an entertaining or dramatic speech, where to find material, how to make an audience laugh, and what to do when you're asked to speak after dinner. A fun manual for you and your audience! |
|
Persuasive Speaking (or The Professional Salesperson) |
The ability to influence and persuade others to accept your ideas, products, or services is vital in today's fast-paced world. The projects in this manual are all designed to help you develop excellent persuasive techniques and expand your presentation skills. Ideal for community leaders, managers and salespeople. |
|
Communicating on Television |
Television presentations differ from other presentations, and they require special considerations. With this manual you'll learn to present editorials, appear as a guest on a "talk show", conduct a press conference, and use television to train. A fun manual to work through in the club environment. Using a video camera is an ideal way to simulate the television situation. You can then review your performance in privacy, or use the video for club evaluations and training. |
|
Storytelling |
This is an enjoyable manual for the advanced speaker, because everyone loves a story. Types of stories covered in this manual include the folk tale, the personal story, stories with morals, the touching story, and the historical story. You'll need to research your material carefully, but the scope is endless! |
|
Interpretive Reading |
This manual will help you develop your interpretive reading skills, not something you would do every day! The projects include presenting stories, poetry, monodramas, plays and oratorical speeches. A challenging manual which requires you to source interesting and unusual material. |
|
Interpersonal Communication |
Topics covered include conversing with ease, negotiating, handling criticism, coaching someone to improved performance, and expressing dissatisfaction effectively. Another ideal manual for people in the workplace or community. You'll need to involve other people when completing some of the projects in this manual. |
|
Humorously Speaking |
Audiences love to laugh! This manual shows you how to use humorous stories and jokes throughout your speech to grab and keep listeners' attention and illustrate your points. You also learn how to give an entirely humorous speech. An excellent manual to try out ideas and practice for the Humorous Speech Contests. |
Toastmasters International has a special program which recognizes those members who have professional-level speaking skills. The Accredited Speaker Program is not for everyone. Only a handful of Toastmasters have what it takes to become Accredited Speakers. Less than 25 percent of those who apply for the program become Accredited Speakers.
The program is conducted annually. To qualify as an Accredited Speaker, an applicant must be a current member of a Toastmasters Club. He or she also must be an Able Toastmaster or Advanced Toastmaster Bronze and have had a minimum of 25 speaking engagements to non-Toastmasters audiences within three years of application date. Five copies of letters of acknowledgment or appreciation from any of the 25 engagements must be provided as documentary evidence of successful presentations. In addition, applicants must pass a rigorous two-stage judging process.
If you or someone in your Club has professional-level speaking skills, contact Toastmasters International (http://www.toastmasters.org) for the Accredited Speaker Program brochure and application. Deadline each year for entries is November 1.
Download and print the Toastmasters International Accredited Speaker document in pdf format for more information.
Quick Reference Resources
Go to Resources - Resources Downloads for information booklets summarising the Communication and Leadership Programs.
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