Toastmasters or Toastmasters International is a great organisation to learn public speaking skills and how to get over your fear of public speaking. Meeting are structured around prepared speeches and impromptu speeches to sharpen your public speaking skills from both angles. One of the qualities of Toastmasters clubs.
Public speaking or glossophobia is suffered by many people. It is often quoted that many people would rather die than speak publicly in front of others. Toastmasters therefore serves a very useful purpose if you can find a club near you. Pay a small fee and subject to variables such as frequency of meetings, your ability to attend meetings and the popularity of the club, you can work through the basic Toastmasters system to become a competent public speaker and put a serious dent in your public speaking anxiety.
How long does it take to overcome fear of public speaking? That really depends on the individual. For some after a session or two at Toastmasters, they'll be fine. For others, they may need to attend many Toastmasters sessions before they become comfortable and overcome their public speaking anxiety. Toastmasters isn;t the be all and end all, but it can certainly play a significant role.
Toastmasters also offers a great social environment. Although this aspect is more for those that have time to develop public speaking skills and are committed Toastmasters members. So as you can see Toastmasters offers you many benefits, but is not necessarily the only route to overcoming your public speaking anxiety. But Toastmasters is a useful resource to help you overcome fear of public speaking.