Would you like to improve your public speaking skills? Convince and lead?
〉You’ve come to the right place!
Join our meetings as a guest and get to know us. We support each other and create a safe space to overcome stage fright, become better speakers and develop leadership skills. There are two Clubs located in our town: the Heidelberg International Toastmasters Club (English-speaking) and the Heidelberg Toastmasters Rhetorikclub (German-speaking).

Events

Take part in the next club meeting in English on 19 May, 7:15 pm!

There are elections in all Clubs ahead of the new Toastmasters’ year (starting 1 July)

The German-speaking Rhetorikclub meets on 26 May, 7:15 p.m.
In Brief

HITC elections
We will vote for our new Officers’ team at our meeting on 19 May

HTR Officer Meeting
There will be an online board meeting, 10 June, 8 p.m.
Looking back

Speech contest 2025
The two Heidelberg clubs determined their best speakers on February 17

TEDx in Karlsruhe
HITC President Ramkumar represented Heidelberg in the TEDx Event in 2024

TMI Anniversary 2024
We celebrated 100 years of Toastmasters with guests from neighboring clubs

District Conference 2024
Ximeng, here with Christiane, won the International Speech Competition

“Living Neckar”
Our clubs took part in the campaign, organized by the town
What our members say about Toastmasters
Mahdi
“Toastmasters is more than just a club for me – it’s a place where I can grow. Here I can develop without fear of criticism, in a positive, supportive atmosphere.
Every session is a special experience that I look forward to every time. The people you meet here are unique – with a special charisma that you won’t find anywhere else. This experience not only strengthens my public speaking skills, but also my self-confidence, professional development and interpersonal relationships. Toastmasters has enriched my life in many ways!”
Jennifer
“I have several reasons for being part of Toastmasters: As a student, I’m constantly in an environment where I’m judged for my speech and my ability to give presentations – without any way of practicing this. On top of this, I want to prepare for working life, since I’m assuming that what will be judged is not only what I do, but also how well I present myself and my work.
Toastmasters offers exactly the right environment to learn all this: Both through building up my competence as a presenter with speeches and improvisation, as well as with the development of leadership skills via the internal administrative posts, I can gather experience which helps me grow not only career-wise, but also as a person.”
Karina
“Toastmasters has really helped me come into my own; it has taught me not only how to better my public speaking skills, but to believe in myself and welcome my strengths as well as my vulnerabilities. I feel part of a close community that is a safe environment for me to make mistakes and get constructive feedback so I can master my language, vocabulary, pitch, tone and speech delivery including my movements, connection with an audience and my body language.
I use the techniques and the learnings in my everyday life, both professionally and personally. As an expat living in Germany, being a member of my local Toastmasters club has been one of the most rewarding and valuable experiences. It gives me the opportunity to meet new people, make great friends and work with different people from all over the world, all committed to helping each other elevate to the next level of what is possible.”
William
“After years of hesitation, I finally took the plunge and joined Toastmasters – and I’m so glad I did! Toastmasters is much more than just a place to “practice speeches”. It’s a vibrant, supportive community of people who have set themselves the task of becoming better communicators, listeners and leaders.
What surprised me the most was the depth of the learning opportunities. The structured learning paths of the online platform ‘Pathways’ offer guidance and progression – from the first ‘Icebreaker’ to advanced leadership projects. Whether it’s preparing for a presentation, overcoming fear or becoming a storyteller, there is a clear path.
I did not expect to meet such a warm group of people who are genuinely interested in seeing me grow. This spirit of encouragement is deeply embedded in the Toastmasters culture. Mentors give feedback, cheer and inspire to support others as they gain experience.
I hesitated too long to join Toastmasters, but it’s never too late to start. I’ve found my voice here!”
Ruth
“Sadly, I only discovered Toastmasters in recent years. It’s a pity, because there have been many occasions in my privat and professional life when I would have liked to speak up – but could not bring myself to do so.
Openly giving your opinion on matters, thereby exposing an angle of attack, is not something that comes easily to most people. But the good news is that it’s possible to learn how to deal with situations like this.
The regular practice with Toastmasters has helped me greatly, not just rhetorically – where there is still room for improvement – but as a person. It forces you out of your comfort zone and makes you realize that not only is that survivable, but it eventually allows you to stand on a stage and talk – entirely at ease. In this wonderful international group, this is actually fun!”
Konstantin
“Toastmasters is a place of real encounters for me! Here I can not only develop my rhetorical skills in a protected environment, but above all get to know exciting people – learn with them and from them. There is a special atmosphere: inspiring, relaxed and professional at the same time. Real connections, ideas and projects are created between Toastmasters inside and outside the club, which I particularly appreciate.
Our club evenings offer everyone the opportunity to get involved – regardless of their own rhetorical level, everyone is welcome here. I also use the evenings to practise spontaneous speeches or to hone presentations for larger stages. I am particularly grateful for the appreciative and constructive feedback, which helps me to make progress every time.
I can only recommend anyone who cares about good communication to come and see for themselves.“
Paolo
“I’ve been a Toastmasters member since 2018 when I joined a club in Mexico City. And now that I moved to Germany, I couldn’t wait to join a club here. Because this international organization has a growth-oriented program based on my specific needs to become a more confident communicator and successful leader, skills that I can apply in may personal and professional life.
However, what I enjoy the most of this journey, especially in the HITC, is the multicultural community I interact with and that people are always willing to share their knowledge to help others members to grow.
I even joined the German Rhetorikclub, in spite of knowing that my language skills are quite limited, because I believe strongly this could be a real language experience.”
Saravanan
“As I kid, I was excited to give speeches in front of an audience. But whenever, I took the stage I was unsure of my quality and impact. It has been a few years with Toastmasters, and I can definitely say I am able to give confident and professional speeches.
Like any organization, Toastmasters is about the people. People, who continue to teach me about listening, networking and leadership. Toastmasters is unquestionably a gateway to learning new skills and meeting interesting people.”
Christiane
“I’ve always admired ‘gifted’ orators, who can enthrall and convince a crowd with their force of rhetoric. Today I know that anyone can learn this. For this, Toastmasters offers the perfect option with its ‘Pathways’ educational program.
During club meetings, you can train your rhetoric skills – be it via telling jokes or presenting thoughts of the day, via prepared speeches, improvisation or evaluations.
I especially enjoy the positive atmosphere of engaged and motivated people of all ages, which whom I can regularly train not only my German skills, but also practice my grasp of the English language, which helps me develop as a person.”
Ram
“I joined Toastmasters in 2017 – initially just with the aim of improving my public speaking skills. But Toastmasters brought me so much more. I have taken on various club positions: Vice President Continuing Education, Club President and even Area Director. Each role has given me new insights, challenges and valuable experiences that stay with me to this day.
What has inspired me over all these years is not just the structured learning program – although that is really helpful. It’s the people. The energy in the room when someone gives their first speech. The honest, motivating feedback after every speech. And the friendships that develop over coffee after the meeting. Toastmasters is a safe space where you can try, fail, grow and try again.
Whether in presentations at work or in everyday conversations – Toastmasters has had a lasting impact on the way I communicate, lead and listen. If you’re looking for a place to grow at your own pace – surrounded by people who really support you – this is the place for you.”