Speak, Learn, and Grow Together: Inside the 352nd English Regular Meeting of Fuchu Toastmasters Club

“I want to speak English more confidently.”

Many people have this goal.

We study vocabulary.
We read English articles.
We watch movies and news in English.

But there is one thing that is surprisingly difficult to find:

a place where you can actually use English.

That is one of the reasons why Fuchu Toastmasters Club is such a special place.

On August 2, 2026, we held our 352nd Regular Meeting in English. Seven members joined the meeting at Platz, with online participation also available.

So, what was the meeting like?

Let’s take a look!

A Meeting Run by the Members

The meeting was opened by the Toastmaster of the Day (TMOD), who also shared a personal experience with the audience.

One of the great things about Toastmasters is that there is no single teacher standing at the front of the classroom.

Instead, the members themselves create the learning environment.

Members take different roles, such as:

• Toastmaster of the Day
• General Evaluator
• Speech Evaluator
• Timer
• Grammarian
• Table Topics Master

By taking these roles, members have opportunities not only to practice English, but also to develop leadership, communication, listening, and organizational skills.

Today’s Word: “Treasure”

Our word of the day was “treasure.”

The word can refer to something extremely valuable, such as precious metals, stones, or money.

But perhaps the most valuable thing about a Toastmasters meeting is not something that can be put in a treasure chest.

It is the experience of learning together with other people.

Every meeting gives us another opportunity to discover something new about ourselves—and perhaps that is a kind of treasure, too.

Prepared Speeches: From Uzbekistan to Body Language

The highlight of the first half of the meeting was the Prepared Speech session.

“Delicious Food I Ate in Uzbekistan”

Our first speaker introduced us to a fascinating selection of Uzbek cuisine.

Uzbek food reflects the country’s rich cultural history and has been influenced by neighboring and surrounding cultures, including Turkish, Indian, and Russian traditions.

The speech did more than introduce delicious food.

It made us curious about Uzbekistan itself.

By the end of the speech, some of us may have been thinking:

“I want to visit Uzbekistan!”

That is one of the pleasures of a good speech.

A speaker can take the audience somewhere they have never been before—without anyone having to leave the room.

“Your Body Speaks Before You Do”

The second prepared speech explored another fascinating topic:

“Your Body Speaks Before You Do.”

The speech reminded us that communication is not simply about the words we use.

Our posture, facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact can all influence how our message is received.

This is especially useful for anyone who wants to become a better public speaker.

At Toastmasters, we don’t simply ask:

“What should I say?”

We also learn to think about:

“How can I make my message more effective?”

Can You Speak English Without Preparing?

Now comes one of the most exciting—and sometimes challenging—parts of a Toastmasters meeting:

Table Topics

In the Table Topics session, participants are given a question and asked to speak without preparing a speech in advance.

The theme for this meeting was:

Summer Holidays

The questions included topics such as:

• What attraction did you enjoy most at a local summer festival when you were a child?
• If you operated a summer festival attraction, what would be your most profitable attraction?
• What is your most memorable summer camp experience?
• What kind of summer camp would you organize for today’s children?
• When you were a child, did you negotiate with your parents when they prohibited certain foods or activities at summer festivals?

The answers were as diverse as the speakers themselves.

Some shared childhood memories.
Others created imaginative business ideas.
Some talked about their families.
Others designed a modern summer camp complete with a campfire.

And that is exactly what makes Table Topics so much fun.

You never know what question is coming next!

“I Don’t Speak Perfect English…”

This is probably one of the biggest concerns people have when they consider joining an English-speaking club.

“My English isn’t good enough.”

But here is the important thing:

You don’t need perfect English to join Toastmasters.

In fact, making mistakes is part of the learning process.

You may forget a word.

You may make a grammatical mistake.

You may need a few seconds to think.

That’s perfectly fine.

At Fuchu Toastmasters Club, the goal is not to demonstrate perfect English.

The goal is to practice using English and become a better communicator step by step.

As we often say:

Let’s practice! It is OK to make mistakes!

Evaluation: Turning Every Speech into a Learning Opportunity

After the speeches and Table Topics came the Evaluation Session.

Toastmasters has a unique learning system.

There are no conventional teachers or instructors. Instead, members evaluate one another and provide constructive feedback.

The evaluators pointed out:

• what the speakers did well,
• what made their speeches effective,
• and what could be improved for the next speech.

This creates a powerful learning cycle:

Speak → Listen → Evaluate → Learn → Speak Again

And there is another benefit.

When you evaluate someone else’s speech, you also become a better speaker yourself.

You begin to notice things such as:

“What made that opening interesting?”

“Why was that story easy to follow?”

“How did the speaker keep my attention?”

These discoveries can then be applied to your own speeches.

And the Winners Were…

Of course, no Toastmasters meeting would be complete without the awards!

Congratulations to:

🏆 Best Speaker: TM Y

🏆 Best Table Topics Speaker: TM M

🏆 Best Evaluator: TM M

Congratulations to all the winners!

And thank you to everyone who contributed to another enjoyable and productive meeting.

More Than an English Club

So, what exactly is Fuchu Toastmasters Club?

It is certainly a place to practice English.

But it is more than an English club.

It is a place where you can:

Speak.
Listen.
Think on your feet.
Give and receive feedback.
Build confidence.
Meet new people.
Challenge yourself.

You don’t have to be an experienced public speaker.

You don’t have to speak perfect English.

You don’t even have to know exactly what you want to improve.

You can simply come and see what it is like.

Why Not Give It a Try?

Perhaps you have been studying English for years but rarely have an opportunity to speak.

Perhaps you want to become more confident when giving presentations at work.

Perhaps you want to improve your communication skills.

Or perhaps you simply want to meet people who enjoy learning and challenging themselves.

Whatever your reason, you are welcome at Fuchu Toastmasters Club.

Come as a guest.

Watch a meeting.

Listen to the speeches.

Experience Table Topics.

And if you feel comfortable, give it a try yourself.

You may discover that speaking English is not as frightening as you thought.

And you may discover something even more valuable:

a new community where you can learn, grow, and have fun.

Let’s practice!

It is OK to make mistakes!

We look forward to meeting you at Fuchu Toastmasters Club.

Next Meeting

Our next regular meeting will be held in Japanese on August 16, 2026.

If you are interested in communication, public speaking, or simply want to experience a Toastmasters meeting, please feel free to visit us.

Your first step may be just one meeting away.