In October 1924 a group of men formed a club to ‘afford practice and training in the art of public speaking and presiding over meetings, and to promote sociability and good fellowship among its members.’ The group was named Toastmasters and it has now spread across the world. In 1999 it reached China when the Shanghai No 1 Toastmasters Club was created. TALK sat in on their 535th meeting and found out a little more about the scene in Shanghai and how it differs from clubs in the West.

The deceptively glum magnolia walls and school-style desks of the conference room make you feel like you’re in for a dry evening of mundane speeches and awkward silences. But appearances can be deceiving, the Toastmaster scene in Shanghai, and China, is buzzing.

Toastmasters is an open forum for anyone to come along and better themselves. Former Area Governor and current President of the China Advanced Toastmasters Carlo Wolff says, “Toastmasters are an organisation for people who want to support each other, learning a tremendous amount as they go along. This is the beauty of being a Toastmaster regardless of where you come from.”

When asked about the differences between expat and local members Wolff says there are actually very few. “I do see one difference, especially for younger members, which is the eagerness by which Chinese strive to learn the skill of speaking,” he says. “This is not to say that the community would not have very dedicated and active foreigners, quite on the contrary, they are many.”

Toastmaster for the evening Tamzy Huang explains that she got involved with the club, “for the same reason most people do – to improve their English. But since joining I have got so much more out of it.” She also says that friendship is an integral part of Shanghai’s Toastmaster scene, “I have made friends, and grown spiritually as well.”

As the evening continues, the reason there are so many young professionals at the meeting becomes clearer. They aren’t here just to improve their language and leadership skills – they’re here to socialise. Current President of Shanghai No 1 Toastmasters Alex Cheng explains, “I know of at least five couples who have met, fallen in love and gotten married through Toastmasters. We are like one big family, we play together and make friends ... it’s great.”

Suhail Nasir, Toastmaster National Champion 2008, is a guest speaker at the meeting. He has his own perspective on the difference between the Chinese people and expats who attend the meetings. “The most obvious difference between the Chinese and Westerners is the language,” he says. “The locals tend to say what they can. Whereas the expats say what they want.”

Age is also an issue. The average age of the expat members is a lot higher. In China a lot of young people are under increased pressure in their jobs. They use Toastmasters to improve their language skills and secure jobs, whereas expats tend to use Toastmasters to improve their leadership skills.”

Nasir says that there are several common reasons why expats attend Toastmasters in Shanghai. “Speaking in term of being an expat, Toastmasters has two main benefits,” he explains. “Learning more about Chinese culture, and networking. That’s in addition to the usual benefits of improving public speaking and developing leadership skills.” 

Current job seeker Paul Huntingdon says that the potential to meet prospective employers is one reason why he attends some meetings. “It can’t hurt my chances of finding a job,” he says. “It’s an opportunity to get in with the right crowd and in today’s job market that’s invaluable and easily worth the 30 or 40 kuai entrance fee.”

At the end of the day the differences between the Chinese and expats that participating in Toastmasters are negligible. Each group gets marginally different benefits but the outcome is always in line with the mission statement set out upon its inception 85 years ago. People go to Toastmasters to improve their spoken English, leadership skills, and to make friends along the way. The finer details are inconsequential.

There are several Toastmasters Clubs around Shanghai. More information about the Shanghai No. 1 Toastmasters Club can be found at http://shanghaino1.freetoasthost.info