This document discusses using the Toastmasters approach to teach public speaking skills to English language learners in Taiwan. The Toastmasters method focuses on experiential learning through speech-giving, peer feedback, and mentorship. The author implemented this approach in an EFL oral communication class. Students completed a post-course survey reporting improved public speaking proficiency and skills. The document concludes the Toastmasters approach has value for foreign language curriculum design.

10. •Experiential learning – By giving
speeches and fulfilling leadership roles,
you practice and improve.
•Peer feedback – Grow and improve your
public speaking and communication skills
through honest and supportive peer
evaluation.

11. •Mentoring – Experienced mentors
encourage, guide and support you in
your goals and help you to achieve more
than you thought possible.
•Self-paced program – Develop skills at
your own pace and comfort level.

12. THE TOASTMASTERS APPROACH: AN
INNOVATIVE WAY TO TEACH PUBLIC
SPEAKING TO EFL LEARNERS IN TAIWAN
2008
SUN YU-CHIH

13. ABSTRACT
•Toastmasters is a widely recognized
international club that aims to develop
and enhance the art of public speaking
by offering participants educational
programmes and chances to speak
before groups.

14. •This article reports on the integration of the
Toastmasters approach to an EFL oral-
communication class in Taiwan. As both the
author of this study and the teacher of an
EFL course, I organized the course content
and the course delivery that this paper
describes.

15. •At the end of the semester, the participants
completed a written questionnaire that asked
their opinions about the effectiveness of this
unorthodox teaching approach. Students
enthusiastically reported that they had
improved their proficiency in public speaking
and that they had made gains in various skill
areas.

16. •Drawing on these experiences, this article
addresses the value of a Toastmasters
approach to foreign-language curricular
design.

22. •Mentoring is to support and encourage
people to manage their own learning in
order that they may maximise their
potential, develop their skills, improve
their performance and become the person
they want to be.

24. On-the-job training (OJT) is a practical
approach to acquiring new competencies
and skills needed for a job in a real, or
close to real, working environment.

26. •Summary.
Researchers studied knowledge workers
in 2013 and again during the 2020 pandemic
lockdown and found significant changes in
how they are working. They learned that
lockdown helps people focus on the tasks that
really matter.

27. •They spent 12% less time drawn into
large meetings and 9% more time
interacting with customers and external
partners. Lockdown also helped people
take responsibility for our own schedules.

28. •They did 50% more activities through
personal choice and half as many
because someone else asked them to.
Finally, during lockdown, people viewed
their work as more worthwhile.

29. • The number of tasks rated as tiresome
dropped from 27% to 12%, and the number
we could readily offload to others dropped
from 41% to 27%

35. BENEFITS OF UNCOVERING HIDDEN
TALENTS AMONG EMPLOYEES

38. REFERENCES:
• Birkinshaw, Cohen and Stach (2020). Research. Knowledge Workers are more
productive from home. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2020/08/research-
knowledge-workers-are-more-productive-from-home
• Canva.com
• https://www.knowledgebrief.com/hot-topic/uncover-your-employees-hidden-talents
• https://www.reading.ac.uk/engageinmentoring/what-is-mentoring/eim-definitions.aspx
• https://www.valamis.com/hub/on-the-job-training

39. • https://www.Insperity.com.blog/cost-effective-employee-training-and-development/
• https://hbr.org/2020/08/research-knowledge-workers-are-more-productive-from-home
• https://www.knowledgebrief.com/hot-topic/uncover-your-employees-hidden-talents
• Sun Yu-Chih (2008). The Toastmasters Approach: An Innovative Way to Teach Public
Speaking to EFL Learners in Taiwan. RELC Journal 39(1):113-130. DOI:
10.1177/0033688208091143
• https://www.toastmasters.org/