What I learned from bilingual English and Malay toastmasters club which meets Saturdays

Nine Toastmasters clubs meets at Cairnhill Community Centre. The bilingual Malay and English club meets on Saturday afternoons. Malay Language The speakers and organisers made an extra effort to use lots of English because I was present and do not speak Malay. I can only think of three of four words: Malay - English makan - food terimah kasih - thank you (I should have said: "Thank you - terimah kasha - for speaking in English". I am reminded of the Malay for thank you when I hear the announcements on the train. Malay Speakers I was surprised to learn that my friend Rennie, who I think of as Indian, speaks Malay. He went to a school in Singapore where the pupils spoke Malay as a second language. It was a state school, what in English would be called a Council school, or in Singapore a neighbourhood school. I was under the impression that in Singapore you went to a school according to the language of your parents (Chinese, English, Tamil and so on). However, it seems that you might go the the nearest school, or maybe the nearest one with good teaching, good pupils and good results. Topics on Ghosts The table topics subject was ghost. How very different cultures are. In the UK except at Hallowe'en I have often been told at writing groups that British women's magazines, meaning their readers, and therefore their editors, like romance, but not ghosts. The opposite appears to apply in Malaysia. Ghosts are a popular feature of films made locally, and popular when produced by nearby countries such as Malaysia's neighbouring Thailand. The Chinese have a Hungry Ghost festival. The Malays culture, predominantly Muslim, seems to include traditional Ghosts of various names and personalities which are well known characters. I was asked to speak about the Ghost who grants money. Planned Speeches The first planned speech was about folding clothes. I have previously seen the clothes folding device, a board with two wings. I thought it would be useful to have a website and price mentioned. I bought the cheaper versions without the wings in two sizes. The speaker ran over time, which I often do, because she spent too much time expanding on the problem, so not enough time was left to spend on the solution. The next speaker gave a motivational speech. Although I had previously heard the topic, it was good to hear it again. Writing An Evaluation Her evaluator had written his evaluation neatly in a book with lined pages. He had three 'bullet point' good comments or commendations. Then one starred recommendation. (After that you summarise or repeat briefly the four points - ending with looking forward to your next speech or better still, other words to that effect.) Keeping everything in one notebook means you have a summary of your year and the speeches you have heard and the speakers you have met. Food Break The Malay toastmasters group had good food. I missed out on the chicken in the pot because I thought the pot contained water or coffee or a drink. I only realised it had contained chicken when I saw somebody else eating chicken. Next time I shall check every pot. We had proper sustaining protein. Chicken. Sliced boiled eggs. The ubiquitous (found everywhere) pasties stuffed with potato. healthy lettuce leaves under the egg. Meetings This club meets in Singapore at the Cairnhill Community Centre, on the third Saturday of the month, maybe more often. Check Find A Club. On my second visit, I remembered to use exit B to get to the side of the road opposite the Sheraton towers hotel which is the venue for another Toastmasters Club. Angela Lansbury, CL, ACG, author and speaker. Speech trainer. Mentor.