陽明大學英語演講會——經驗分享

Toasting Our Learning: Introducing Yang Ming University Toastmasters Club

在台灣，英語聽與讀的材料垂手可得（例如從電視、DVD、網路、報紙、雜誌獲得）。若想習寫英文，使用email天天與朋友通信也很方便。但要找到講的環境，就不容易了。筆者極力推薦一個非營利的國際演講組織–Toastmasters International。很適合大學生參加，可有效提昇說英語的流利度，正確性，與自信心。英語演講會（a Toastmasters club）合乎以學習者為中心（learner-centered），真實溝通（communicative），兼顧流利度與正確性（fluency and accuracy），正向鼓勵的學習環境（supportive atmosphere）等有助英語之學習的原則。一、會員自己決定演講日期，以及演講題目，故非常合乎learner-centered之原則。二、不論是備稿演講，即席演講，或講評都在陳明自己真實的想法。三、在演講手冊的指引以及資深會員的指導下，可在演說技巧及表達能力上有進步。並且說得更流利，更正確。四、會員互相協助，互相支持，可大受鼓勵，增加信心。在陸續超過四十位資深會員的支持下，陽明英語演講會已經成立兩年了，深受會員的肯定與喜愛。筆者一直盡全力推動各項會務。看著這個演講會不斷茁壯，舊會員在演講能力，自信心和領導能力不斷進步，新會員每學期都有約二十多位紛紛加入、實在滿心喜悅。盼望拋磚引玉，吸引更多大學成立英語演講會（Toastmastersclubs）！

Nowadays nearly all English learners in Taiwan find it very convenient to access a wide variety of listening and reading material. However, finding an environment to practice speaking still represents a challenge. A Toastmasters Club provides a positive and supportive environment to learn public speaking (as well as leadership skills, etc.). In Taiwan, there are now 100 Toastmasters clubs, six of which are established in universities and specifically for their students. Yang Ming University Toastmasters Club (YMTMC) is proud to be one of them. YMTMC was established by the author just two years ago with the support of many senior Toastmasters from clubs in Taiwan as well as the University. The number of members has grown from less than 20 in the first semester to the ideal number (around 25) in the most recent semester. Members attended not only regular meetings, but also joint meetings and contests. And four senior members have been achieved their Competent Toastmaster award after delivering their set of 10 speeches. Given such a strong performance, the writer believes that this successful experience will encourage the establishment of more Toastmasters clubs in Taiwan colleges.