As a Language Evaluator (LE), you have two basic responsibilities:

  1. To introduce new word or words to members, and
  2. To comment on the use of English during the course of the meeting

One of the critical skills of a LE is good listening skill. You will be taking notes throughout the entire meeting to spot creative use and incorrect use of the English language.

PRIOR TO THE MEETING

Select a “Word of the Day” if this is being scheduled in the meeting program. It should be a word that will help members increase their vocabulary–a word that can be incorporated easily into everyday conversation but is different from the way people usually express themselves. An adjective or adverb is suggested since they are more adaptable than a noun or verb, but feel free to select your own special word.

In letters large enough to be seen from the back of the room, print your word, its part of speech (adjective, adverb, noun, etc.), and a brief definition. Prepare a sentence or two showing how the word is used. If this is done at our Tai Seng meeting venue, send the “Word of the Day” in advance to the VP Public Relations (VP PR) to prepare the slide to be displayed during the meeting.

UPON ARRIVAL AT THE MEETING

Locate the white board or flip chart that you will be using later to explain the “Word of the Day”. Ask for a copy of the Club’s dictionary & thesaurus from the Sergeant at Arms (SAA). Check that the slide has the correct “Word of the Day”. Get a few blank pieces of paper to make notes. Sit in front where there is a desk or table for you to write on.

DURING THE MEETING

When introduced by the Toastmaster of the Evening (TME), stand up & announce the “Word of the Day,” state its part of speech, define it, use it in a sentence, and encourage the everybody to use it during the meeting.

Throughout the meeting, listen to everyone’s word usage. Write down any awkward use or misuse of the language (incomplete sentences, sentences that change direction in midstream, incorrect grammar, malapropisms, etc.) with a note of who erred. Write down who used the “Word of the Day” (or a derivative of it) and note those who used it correctly or incorrectly.

When called on by the TME to make the Language Evaluation which is usually towards the end of the meeting, take note the following:

  • During the evaluation segment, try to offer the correct usage in every instance where there was misuse instead of only explaining what was wrong
  • Comment on the language and not the person
  • Report on creative language usage
  • Offer correct pronunciations for words wrongly pronounced during the meeting
  • Announce who used the “Word of the Day” (or a derivative of it) correctly or incorrectly
  • Take note that the usual the timing sequence for this evaluation is between 8 – 10 minutes (Green on 8, Amber on 9, Red on 10 and bell rings at 10’30”)
  • More time would be used only with the permission from the TME or the Club President

AFTER THE MEETING

Help to clean the white board of the “Word of the Day” and return the dictionary to the SAA.