Empowering Non-Native English Speakers: Tips to Excel at Public Speaking
/As a non-native English speaker, you may experience more fears and thoughts of self-doubt related to your ability to communicate in English. Like the 10 common fears of public speaking, it is perfectly natural to have these feelings.
However, you can push yourself to develop the skills needed to overcome these obstacles and become a confident speaker.
My English Isn't Good Enough or at the Native Speaker Level.
If English isn't your native language, it's understandable to feel nervous about delivering a presentation in English. However, it's important to know that you don't need advanced English expressions or grammar to deliver an engaging and inspiring presentation that drives change.
As an experienced presentation coach, I help upper-intermediate English speakers develop techniques that allow them to deliver presentations that are just as effective as native speakers, and often even more. These techniques include simplifying your language, using rhetorical questions, repetition, and clear calls to action.
Even if your English is upper-intermediate, you have the ability to capture your audience's attention and inspire change. Don't let fear hold you back from sharing your great ideas and making an impact.
With the right techniques and a bit of practice, you can deliver a presentation that effectively communicates your message and engages your listeners. So why not take the first step towards becoming a confident and effective presenter?
When I Travel Abroad and Present, Some of the ‘Locals’ Say They Don't Understand Me.
If you're a non-native English speaker travelling to a new country, you commonly feel nervous about being understood by ‘locals’. However, you can use a few techniques to improve your pronunciation and make it easier for others to understand you.
One simple tip is to slow down when speaking so that your audience has time to process what you're saying. Additionally, try to articulate your words more clearly, particularly your consonants. This involves opening your mouth wider and slightly exaggerating your words.
In particular, focusing on the 't' sound can make a big difference in improving your pronunciation. This is a common area of difficulty for non-native speakers and can greatly enhance your clarity.
It's important to remember that even native English speakers can mumble or speak too quickly, particularly when addressing a non-native audience. Research in the USA shows us that audiences retain information from speakers who articulate more. So, by focusing on slowing down and articulating your words more clearly, you can improve your intelligibility and make a stronger connection with your listeners.
You can overcome your fears and become a more confident communicator in any language with practice and persistence.
I Can Present my Ideas Concisely, but I'm Afraid of the Q&A Afterwards as I Might not be Able to Understand the Questions.
Feeling nervous about articulating well in English and understanding complex questions is totally natural. However, there are some effective techniques you can use to overcome these challenges and communicate effectively.
Firstly, don't be afraid to politely ask for clarification if you don't understand a question. Simply let the person know you didn't quite understand and ask if they could rephrase it. This will help you better understand the question and respond more thoughtfully.
It's also critical to remember that you have valuable expertise to share, regardless of your language abilities. Don't let your fear keep you from sharing your knowledge and incredible ideas with your audience.
As a great example of this, take a look at this tweet featuring Roger Federer. Even as a non-native English speaker, he confidently asks for clarification when he doesn't understand a question. This kind of confidence is a great role model for anyone looking to improve their communication skills.
Remember, you don't need to apologise for your language abilities. With the right techniques and a bit of practice, you can overcome any fear or challenge and communicate effectively in any situation.
I Don’t Use Phrasal Verbs, So I Feel Intimidated When There are Native Speakers in the Audience.
Feeling nervous about using phrasal verbs in your English language presentations is understandable. Many institutions and English language books place a huge importance on this area.
Instead of using phrasal verbs, use simpler verbs you feel more comfortable with. This will not only help you to communicate more effectively, but it will also make your presentation more accessible to a wider audience.
As already said, idioms and phrases can be tricky to understand, especially for non-native speakers. They are also often region, country, or age-specific so when out of their own environment, many native English speakers have to ask for the meaning. So instead, focus on using clear and concise language supported by data and facts, and use stronger adjectives to make your message more impactful.
By avoiding complicated language and speaking in a clear and accessible way, you will be able to connect more effectively with your audience and ensure that your message is understood by all. Remember, simple and direct communication is always the most effective way to get your point across.
Sometimes I Forget or Mispronounce a Word or Slip into My Mother Tongue When I Speak.
Making mistakes is part of being authentic. Remember, perfect presentations are not the goal. So don't worry if you forget a word, mispronounce it, or even switch to your mother tongue.
Native speakers experience the same thing, and here's what they might say to a blank mind: "Oh, that word escapes me," or "The word will come to me in a moment."
For mispronunciation, they might say "I can never say that word" or "That's such a mouthful."
There's no need to apologise. Native speakers don't, so you shouldn't either. Just pause and continue as if nothing happened. Your audience will forget about the mistake within 30 seconds and will focus on your message instead.
From Non-native Speaker to Speaking With Fluency
Achieving fluency in a language beyond your native tongue is a huge undertaking. However, you can learn to speak as well, if not better than native speakers, if you learn the right techniques. If you learn to master the 4 pillars of communication: Language, Pronunciation, Presentation, and Voice/Body, then you will be on your way to becoming a powerful public speaker.
If you want to discuss your organisation’s (corporate, NGOs, Associations and Universities) Public speaking or Presentation skills needs, I offer free 30-minute consultations through my site. I’d love to meet you.