The educational program is the heart of every Toastmasters club. It provides members with a proven curriculum that develops communication and leadership skills one step at a time, with many opportunities for awards and recognition along the way. The communication and leadership tracks are not mutually exclusive; you may participate in both at the same time, if you wish.

The New Member Kit includes the following manuals to get you started in both tracks: 

• Competent Communication 
• Competent Leadership 
• Your Speaking Voice 
• Effective Evaluation 
• Gestures: Your Body Speaks

Competent Communication manual
The 10 speech projects in this manual will help you develop your speaking skills one step at a time. When you finish all of the projects, you are eligible for Competent Communicator (CC) recognition. Complete the CC application in the manual and ask your vice president education to submit it online to World Headquarters. You'll receive a CC certificate and, if this is your first CC award, two Advanced Communication Series manuals free of charge. Ten projects are:

1. The Ice Breaker
2. Organize Your Speech
3. Get to the Point
4. How To Say It
5. Your Body Speaks
6. Vocal Variety
7. Research Your Topic
8. Get Comfortable With Visual Aids
9. Persuade With Power
10. Inspire Your Audience
    

Advanced Communication Series
After receiving CC recognition, you can work in the Advanced Communication Series manuals, where you’ll refine and enhance your speaking skills and become eligible for Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB), Advanced Communicator Silver (ACS) and Advanced Communicator Gold (ACG) recognition. There are 15 manuals, each containing five speech projects. Many of the manuals are career-oriented. You choose the manuals you want to complete and the skills you want to learn.

The Competent Leadership manual
is the core of the leadership track. It features 10 projects, which you complete while serving in various club meeting roles. An evaluator will give you feedback on each project, helping you to improve. When you complete the manual, you are eligible for Competent Leader recognition. Complete the CL application in the manual and ask your vice president education to submit it online to World Headquarters. You'll receive a CL certificate and, if you wish, World Headquarters will send your employer a letter about your accomplishment. Ten projects are:

1. Listening and Leadership
2. Critical Thinking
3. Giving Feedback
4. Time Management
5. Planning and Implementation
6. Organizing and Delegating
7. Developing Your Facilitation Skills
8. Motivating People
9. Mentoring
10. Team Building

Advanced Leader Program
After earning the CL award you can further refine and develop your leadership skills by working in the advanced leader program. Members working in this program are eligible for Advanced Leader Bronze (ALB) and Advanced Leader Silver (ALS) recognition.

DTM stands for "Distinguished Toastmaster." The DTM is the highest level of certification presently awarded by Toastmasters International. The DTM is also the hardest award to earn.