Back to Knowledge Base
new-members

Getting Started with Pathways: Level 1

Whichever path you pick, Level 1 is identical. This guide covers the four projects and the meeting roles you need, with everything downloadable right here on our site.

Level 1 Is the Same for Everyone

Pathways offers a range of learning paths, but here's the secret that makes starting easy: Level 1 is identical regardless of which pathway you pick. Everyone completes the same four projects and the same meeting roles. So you can get going right away, even while you're still deciding on a path.

Even better, you don't need to dig around on toastmasters.org to find the materials. Every project below has its own page on this site that walks you through it, and all the official PDFs (project guides, checklists, worksheets, and evaluation forms) are available to download directly.

The Four Level 1 Projects

Work through these in order. Each link takes you to a full guide for that project:

  1. The Ice Breaker: your first speech, a 4-6 minute introduction to you. Who you are, your story, why you joined.
  2. Writing a Speech with Purpose: learn to build a speech around a clear purpose, from topic selection to outline.
  3. Vocal Variety and Body Language: bring your delivery to life with your voice, gestures, and movement.
  4. Evaluation and Feedback: give and receive constructive feedback, and put it into practice.

Required Meeting Roles

Speeches are only half of Level 1. To finish the level, you also complete these meeting roles (sign up for them on EasySpeak):

  1. Table Topics Speaker: before delivering your Ice Breaker, take part in Table Topics to practise and get comfortable speaking in front of the club. No sign-up needed; just raise your hand during the Table Topics section of any meeting.
  2. Speaker: deliver your prepared speeches. You'll fulfil this role several times as you complete the projects above.
  3. Evaluator: as part of your Evaluation and Feedback project, give helpful and supportive feedback to another speaker. See our Evaluator role guide.
  4. One additional role: choose either Timer (keep speeches on time and improve your time management) or Ah-Counter (build awareness of filler words and sounds).

How These Roles Work Together

Each role builds a different skill. Table Topics builds quick thinking, the Timer role teaches time management, the Ah-Counter sharpens your listening, and evaluating builds feedback and analysis abilities. Combined with your speech projects, they give you a well-rounded foundation of communication. This is exactly what Toastmasters founder Dr. Ralph C. Smedley had in mind: helping speakers become better listeners, leaders, and team members.

Handy Worksheets

Two worksheets are useful across all your Level 1 speeches:

Beyond Level 1

From Level 2 onwards, pathways vary depending on the pathway you picked. Please visit Base Camp on toastmasters.org for speeches and projects beyond the first level. By then you'll know your way around, and honestly, once you're through your first pathway level, the rest is straightforward.

Not picked a path yet? Our choosing your path guide will help. And if you're brand new, start with the Start Here onboarding guide.