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Toastmasters open doors session in Mijas.
Credit: Minerva Quijera Domínguez
The auditorium of the La Cala Town Hall was buzzing with excitement on Tuesday evening, September On 16th, the Costa del Soul Speakers Toastmasters Club hosted a bilingual Open House in collaboration the Foreigners Department at the Mijas Town Hall.
The event was inaugurated by Mijas councillors Juan Carlos Maldonado, Mario Bravo and brought together both experienced speakers and curious newcomers.
“This club is unique because it uses both Spanish and English, but they are mixing the two languages today as an exception,” said Mario Bravo, Councillor. He emphasized the Council’s commitment in supporting the club, by providing access to municipal facilities to hold weekly meetings. This allows residents to improve their communication skills.
The session was co-hosted Joan P. Olsen, and Soledad Rios. It featured a diverse programme that aimed to inspire and engage. Two speeches were delivered by the Toastmasters Club Malaga: a Spanish “Icebreaker”, a speech that was emotional and first-timer Elena. Wolfgang, who has been a Toastmasters member for many years, gave a polished award-winning English address. A lively impromptu round was also held, with the Club President Claudia Villarreal as the leader. Participants tackled unexpected subjects with poise and creativity.
The bilingual format reflected Mijas club’s inclusive philosophy, creating a welcoming community for the multi-cultural community. Toastmasters’ hallmark, constructive feedback, was offered through the roles of timekeepers, grammarians, and body language judges. These provided participants with actionable insights on how to improve their skills.
Costa del Soul speakers meets every Tuesday, from 7:30pm-9pm. The sessions alternate between Spanish and English to accommodate the diverse membership. The club, which is part of Toastmasters International (a global non profit organisation dedicated to communication development and leadership), offers a structured and friendly environment for newcomers and experienced speakers.
Councillor Bravo was pleased with the success of the event in attracting new members from Mijas and existing ones, indicating a growing interest in using public speaking to enhance personal and professional development. For those inspired to join, the club welcomes inquiries at costadelsoulspeakers@gmail.com or via their social media, @costadelsoulspeakers. For more details, visit bit.ly/costadelsoulspeakers.
