Have you ever been asked to give a presentation in English? Public speaking can feel nerve-racking at the best of times, but if English is not your first language, delivering a confident presentation can feel like a pretty daunting task.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
English is the most widely-spoken business language in the world. Recent estimates show that more than 1.5 billion people speak<\/a> English, with more than half <\/a>of all global multinational companies using it in their international operations. Competitive pressure, globalisation of tasks and technology as well as cultural influences mean that English is the lingua franca for international business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that being able to communicate and present well in English is now an essential skill<\/strong> for employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prospect of delivering a presentation in another language can turn even the most bright and capable speaker into a quivering mess.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s a different kind of anxiety. Communicating in a foreign language can bring unique challenges: from the fear of making language mistakes to the worry about not understanding native speakers\u2019 questions. You may be anxious about freezing on stage if you can\u2019t remember a particular word or phrase, and imposter syndrome becomes heightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This can make you feel vulnerable and exposed, worried that your audience might judge you or underestimate your capability. All of this contributes to a lack of confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an article for Harvard Business Review<\/a>, associate professor Tsedal Neeley adds: \u201cWhen non-native speakers are forced to communicate in English, they can feel that their worth to the company has been diminished, regardless of their fluency level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what can you do to build your confidence ahead of a presentation in English so that you can communicate fluently and effectively?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Preparing to give a presentation in English is a combination of three things: great preparation, rehearsing well and adopting the right mindset.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s start with the very basics: if you want to deliver a great presentation in any<\/strong> language, you need to invest time in planning it. This is essential if English is not your first language, as you cannot rely on spontaneity to get you through it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you reach for your laptop, do some research about who you\u2019re going to be speaking to. Who is going to be in the audience, what do they already know about what you\u2019ll be presenting? Are they native English speakers? What do they need from this presentation? How will it help them? <\/p>\n\n\n\n By starting off answering these questions, you can ensure that your presentation is focused on your audience’s needs, which will make your content more compelling.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The flow of your presentation is much more important than getting every word of the language right. If your content is really compelling, your audience won\u2019t mind if you make mistakes with vocabulary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re ready to start planning your content, use elements of storytelling<\/a> to ensure that your audience will be compelled to listen throughout. Frameworks such as Body Talk\u2019s PRO structure<\/a> can help you package complex information into a concise and compelling narrative that keeps your audience engaged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A big mistake that people make is trying to \u2018sound intelligent\u2019 by using complex grammar or vocabulary. While that might look good on paper, in reality, most people don\u2019t speak like this. Keep your language simple and easy to understand – it’s easier for you and easier for your audience too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the same vein, try to avoid business jargon<\/a>: it doesn\u2019t actually aid presentations and will make it more difficult for you to remember.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Top Tip: You may find it useful to use English all the way through your planning, including when you\u2019re writing notes, rather than translating it later. This way, you can immerse yourself fully in the content of your presentation.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n A lot of nerves around presenting in English are around speaking and pronunciation. The best way to deal with this is to rehearse your presentation out loud, over and over again. Practising your presentation out loud will really help you to build confidence when speaking. It will also help you to find out if there are particular words, phrases or sentences which are difficult to pronounce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many languages including Spanish and Japanese are spoken much more quickly than English. If your mother tongue is a faster-spoken language, then you\u2019re more likely to speak quickly in English too. And when we\u2019re nervous, we tend to speak faster anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, this can make your presentations feel rushed and it can be difficult for audiences to follow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re practising your delivery, try slowing your pace right down. Take your time. Not only will it help your audience to follow what you\u2019re saying, but it will also give you more time to think about what you are saying and to translate in your head if you need to.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking more slowly can also help you to look more confident and considered when presenting in English. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pausing is your best friend when presenting in English. Just like speaking slowly, it can give you time to think and to do the mental arithmetic you need to translate words and concepts backwards and forwards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if you\u2019re asked a difficult question, don\u2019t rush to answer immediately: simply pause and take your time to find the right words.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Languages around the world use sound in different ways to convey meaning. Some are more ‘musical’ than others, and English is one such language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In English, pitch and intonation<\/a> are used to convey functions and intentions such as expressing opinion, showing interest, asking a question and so on. Pitch is how high or low your voice is, whilst intonation is the variation of pitch across a sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A rising tone at the end of a sentence usually indicates a question, or uncertainty. A falling tone often indicates a statement. English often uses a higher pitch for excitement or motivation and lower pitches for certainty or seriousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This may be different from your mother tongue, so it\u2019s worth spending some time \u2018tuning in\u2019 to how pitch and intonation is used to show emotion.\u00a0Listen to examples of people giving different kinds of speeches and how their voice ‘sounds’ to see how you can emulate this during your own presentations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find out more about rising and falling tones here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you are rehearsing, make sure to check the pronunciation of any words you aren\u2019t sure about. You don\u2019t need to make sure that every single word is right, but ensure you know how to pronounce the most important words or concepts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are in any doubt, ask a native English speaker for help, and if you\u2019re using notes, spell out words phonetically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Top Tip: Having a strong accent in your native language is not a problem: it is part of who you are. As long as you speak slowly and clearly, enunciating well, people will be able to understand you.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n A positive mindset plays a huge role in delivering successful and confident presentations in English, particularly as it can sometimes feel like a school exam!<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve all got that voice inside our heads which warns us that we\u2019re going to be \u2018found out\u2019 or that we\u2019re going to make mistakes and it\u2019s all going to go horribly wrong. The trouble is, it’s not particularly helpful – or true. People aren\u2019t coming to your presentation to judge your grammar or vocabulary skills. They\u2019re here to hear what you have to say. They want you to do well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Techniques such as visualisation <\/a>and positive self-talk can help a lot. Try to imagine what the room will look like, where the audience will be and how you will begin and end. <\/p>\n\n\n\nA different kind of anxiety<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tips for giving a presentation in English<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Preparation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Research your audience<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Use a storytelling structure<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Simplify your language <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
2. Delivery<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Speak slowly<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Take pauses <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Use pitch and intonation to sound more ‘English<\/strong>‘<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Check your pronunciation<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
3. Mindset<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n