Though being repetitive, we would like to emphasize once again that Toastmasters is Toastmasters. It is NOT a cost-effective English conversation school or a group to learn English itself.

In Toastmasters we do not teach English.  

Sometimes we Toastmasters receive questions like "Which should I join to improve my English skills, Toastmasters or an English conversation school?" There is no specific answer for this question. The reason is that learning English is not our purpose, so the nature between the two is totally different.

English is our tool of communication just like Japanese or any other languages.

We call VTMC as an "advanced Club" in that we set skill requirements. However, the requirements is not so high as to require members to speak like a native speaker. Learning to speak English "perfectly" like our mother tongue is not our purpose. Instead, we practice our speeches so that we can convey our messages to the international audience.

There are millions of people in the world who speak English as their second language. Perhaps their accents are different from native speakers. However, we can see many non-native speakers from Asia, Europe, South America and many other parts of the world who convey their messages to the international audience confidently and effectively using English as a tool of communication. This is what we envision in VTMC.

Internationally, Toastmasters values such concept. For example, we have an annual worldwide speech contest called World Champion of Public Speaking. In the past few years, a number of non-native speakers received significant awards, though the population of Toastmasters in the world is still outnumbered by native English speakers. We think that the speech organization, message, audience reception and delivery including body languages, use of vocal variety and pauses are much more important than speaking "perfect English".

This does not deny the importance of proper grammar and pronunciation. Instead, we provide an environment to use English as a communication tool on a regular basis, which could be a good motivation for the members to learn more about such essential elements of English on their own.

Aside from VTMC, we have bilingual (English and Japanese) Clubs and Japanese-only Clubs nearby. (Click here to view the list), so you have the option of joining such Clubs or obtaining dual membership of VTMC and a bilingual or Japanese Club.

In fact, speeches in our first language is much more difficult and rewarding than often thought. (Note: most Toastmasters Clubs in North America are in English only and a large part of the members there are native speakers!) In our mother tongue, we are able to practice our speeches with more attention in the speech organization, message and other content parts instead of grammar or pronunciation.In fact, most of the VTMC founding officers are dual members of Japanese or bilingual Clubs.

 

We are afraid that Toastmasters do not offer such programs.

We would recommend that you consider other places such as an English conversation school or a language exchange program.

"I am not interested in listening speeches of other Japanese people. I am interested in speaking with only native speakers."

In Toastmasters, we do not select members based on mother tongues, nationalities or origins according to the anti-discriminatory code. If you are interested in interacting with only native speakers, we would recommend somewhere else other than Toastmasters.