Learn from MY mistakes!
Hi Everybody!
It’s been a while since I had time to post here. As some of you know, I went to Shanghai this past weekend to participate in Toastmasters’ “District 85P Speech Contest”. There were six contestants, all of whom had previously won three contests to get to this level, so my five competitors were all good. One of the speakers was clearly better than the rest and the judges correctly chose her as the winner. In my opinion, the rest of us were hard to tell apart. For some reason, the judges chose me for third place. You can see the video by clicking on the link below. This is the same speech I gave before, only improved, so you may have already seen it. My goal was to learn how to improve a speech, how to make it as good as it can be. I think this is about as good as that speech can ever be, but you can be the judge…
hanane Said,
June 4, 2008 @ 10:49 am
Hullo dear sir,
I am writing to tell you that while seeing the video,I was unable to detect most of the words of your speech. in this respect i do feel up upset since i am planning to be a successful a teacher of English; can you help me carryout this prestigious dream.
i look forward to hearing from you
teacherjoe Said,
June 4, 2008 @ 10:22 pm
Hello Hanane,
I’m not sure what you mean by “unable to detect most of the words”. Do you mean that the sound quality is not very good? Or perhaps I spoke too fast? I am sure you can be a successful English teacher - good luck!
Maggie Said,
June 5, 2008 @ 3:12 am
Hi Joe,
I enjoyed your speech. The speech was funny but It’s also funny that I was just thinking about Toastmasters since I am considering starting a Speech Club at my school. Are there chapters here in China? How did you get involved?
Congrats on winning third!
Maggie
teacherjoe Said,
June 5, 2008 @ 4:16 am
Maggie,
There are now 62 Toastmasters clubs in mainland China and, starting in July, mainland China will be an official “district” within Toastmasters. I have heard there are 20 clubs in Beijing but most of those are not open to the public. I know of five open clubs - one to the south of Beijing, one in Zhonguancun, one on Gongtibeilu, and two along Changanjie. You can search on Google to find when and where they meet. If you start a Toastmasters club in your school, other clubs will be glad to lend a hand to help you get going.
em dinh Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
Hi Mr J,
I enjoyed and also learned things in your speech. Yes, you said right, the bestter way to learn things from the mistake but it is not easy because something can’t see, it will takes a lot of time to realize . Exemple myself. I live in the US for 14 years but I didn’t go to school for English, for somereson I can’t learn, it makes me boring and I make excuse for myself about not go to shool, I can speak vietnames at work, the life is so sort , take is easy.. but it is totally wrong wrong,
Now I have a baby, a lot of right thing appear in my head, How can I speak, read story and teach her home…v..v and I’m in hurry to study english but I don’t have time to go to school, after work I have to cook and take care a baby, but I still lucky that I know you
Thank you and thanks
teacherjoe Said,
June 19, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
Em Dinh,
I think you now have very good motivation to learn English. One suggestion for you now is to go back and do an English REVIEW. I think you’ve learned a lot in the past 14 years, but now you have to “fill in” things that you may have missed.
Also, it might be good for you to read some children’s books now, just for your own benefit. Then, when your baby is bigger, you will already know some good books to read!
Good luck.