Food for Thought: Sound Good - or be Understood?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkscU14wjzU&list=PL8_RS6CMLjFUuDV0r8OG0B0M6Tb9sYBBG&index=1
https://youtu.be/3tm9t3LDLNk?si=3QyXiO_ubWPPs4Q0&t=29
🗣️ Worksheet: Speaking
Without a Script
(Based on “Spontaneous
Speaking” by Peggy Beach)
🧠1. Vocabulary Table
|
New Word / Phrase |
Meaning (Simple English) |
Example Sentence |
|
Spontaneous |
Something you do without
planning |
I gave a spontaneous speech
when my teacher asked me. |
|
Relax |
To feel calm and not worried |
Take a deep breath and relax
before you speak. |
|
Conversation |
Talking with someone |
I had a nice conversation with
my friend. |
|
Current events |
Things happening in the world
now |
My dad reads the news to learn
about current events. |
|
Practice |
To do something again and again
to get better |
I practice English every day. |
|
Theme |
The main idea or topic |
The theme of today’s meeting is
“Kindness.” |
|
Strangers |
People you don’t know |
I met some strangers at the
park. |
|
Pause |
To stop for a short time |
Pause and think before you
answer. |
|
Feedback |
Helpful advice to make you
better |
My teacher gave me feedback on
my speech. |
|
Audience |
The people who listen to you |
The audience clapped after my
talk. |
|
Confident |
Sure of yourself; not scared |
I felt confident when I gave my
speech. |
|
Pivot |
To change direction or topic |
If you don’t know what to say,
you can pivot to another story. |
Speaking Without a Script
Tips to Get Better at Table Topics
By Peggy Beach (simplified)
Many people feel scared when it’s time
for Table Topics in a Toastmasters meeting. Table Topics means you must speak without
preparation. You get a question and must talk right away. That can feel scary!
But don’t worry — there are ways to make it easier.
1. Relax and Think of It as a
Conversation
It’s normal to feel nervous. But try to stay
calm.
Professor Allan Louden says, “Don’t think of it as a full speech. Think of it
as a short conversation.”
When you talk to friends, you don’t plan every word — you just speak naturally.
Do the same with Table Topics.
2. Prepare Before the Meeting
You can get ready, even though the
speech is “spontaneous.”
- Read
the news so you know what’s happening in the world. Many Table Topics
questions come from current events.
- Read
different kinds of things — books, articles, stories. This gives you more
ideas to talk about.
- Practice
at home! Write down old Table Topics questions and try answering them out
loud.
- Think
about the meeting’s theme. If the theme is “Travel,” remember a fun trip
you took. That will help you when a question comes up.
- Talk
to new people in your daily life. When you chat with strangers, you
practice speaking without a plan — just like Table Topics!
- Keep
3 short stories ready about your life. You can use them for many
questions.
3. During the Meeting
When it’s your turn, remember: No one
expects you to be perfect!
Here are some easy tips:
- Take
a deep breath and smile.
- Pause
for a few seconds before you start speaking.
- Don’t
rush. Speak slowly and clearly.
- Try
to have a simple structure:
- Beginning:
Start with a short story or idea.
- Middle:
Explain your point.
- End:
Finish with a short message or “call to action.”
If you don’t know what to say, that’s
okay! You can:
- Pick
one word from the question and talk about that.
- Give
the opposite opinion (for example, if the question is “Why should we make
our bed?”, you can talk about why some people don’t).
- Or,
use the “politician trick” — change the topic in a smooth way. Example:
“Thank you for asking about making my bed. That reminds me of a dream I had last night...”
4. Use Your Presentation Skills
You can use the same skills you use for
prepared speeches:
- Start
with a story.
- Connect
your story to the question.
- Keep
your talk interesting — it doesn’t have to be 100% true!
Some clubs even have a Table Topics
Evaluator, who gives short feedback to help you improve.
5. Remember the Audience Is Friendly
It might feel like everyone is judging
you — but they aren’t!
Your audience wants you to do well. They are your friends and supporters.
The more you practice, the easier it
gets. Each time you try, you become more confident.
6. Fun Ways to Answer Table Topics
Questions
Here are some ideas for how to answer a
question (example: “Do you make your bed every morning?”):
- Past
/ Present / Future:
“When I was a child, I hated making my bed. Now I do it every day. When I’m older, maybe I’ll stop again!” - For
and Against:
“Some people say making your bed shows discipline. Others say it’s a waste of time. I think it depends on the person.” - State
– Explain – State:
“Making your bed is boring. It takes time, and you will just mess it up again! That’s why I don’t do it.” - Politician
and Pivot:
“That’s a great question about making my bed! It reminds me of a dream I had last night…”
Final Tip
Don’t be afraid of Table Topics!
Every time you try, you learn something new.
And remember — everyone survives Table Topics! 😄
📖 2. Reading
Comprehension
A. Choose the best answer.
- What is Table Topics?
a) A game about cooking
b) Speaking without preparation
c) Reading a book aloud - What should you do before a meeting?
a) Watch TV all night
b) Read about current events
c) Sleep during the meeting - If you forget what to say, you should:
a) Panic and stop talking
b) Pause and think
c) Run away - Who wants you to do well during your speech?
a) The audience
b) Nobody
c) Only your friends
B. True or False
|
Statement |
True or False |
|
1. You must plan every word
before speaking. |
|
|
2. You can practice Table
Topics at home. |
|
|
3. The audience wants to see
you fail. |
|
|
4. You can use stories to make
your speech interesting. |
✍️ 3. Speaking Practice
Take turns with a partner. Ask
and answer these questions:
- Have you ever spoken without preparing? How did it
feel?
- What is something you like to talk about?
- What can you do to feel calm before a speech?
- Try answering this Table Topic question:
“If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?”
✨ 4. Writing Practice
Write a short paragraph (4–5
sentences) about a time you had to speak without planning.
Use at least 3 words from the vocabulary table.
Example:
Last week, my teacher asked me to speak about my favorite animal. I didn’t plan
anything! I took a deep breath and tried to relax. I told a story about my dog.
The audience smiled, and I felt confident.
