{"id":3972,"date":"2025-02-12T22:17:56","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T21:17:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/?p=3972"},"modified":"2025-02-12T22:30:34","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T21:30:34","slug":"how-to-present-in-english-to-a-global-audience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/resources\/blogs\/how-to-present-in-english-to-a-global-audience\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Present in English to a Global Audience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know that more than 1.5 billion people speak English<\/a> around the world? That\u2019s around 17% of the world\u2019s population. It\u2019s widely considered the international language of business<\/a>, as presenting in English is so commonplace across global meetings, conferences, and negotiations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, not all English speakers are at the same level of fluency. In fact, a whopping 75% of English speakers have it as a second or third language, rather than their mother tongue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re presenting in English and are unsure of your audience’s level of fluency, you may be at risk of using words, expressions or cultural references which are confusing or unfamiliar to them. This can lead to miscommunication and barriers to understanding, as well as lowering the impact of your presentation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t believe me? Check out this hilarious thread on Reddit<\/a>, which is all about why some English phrases ‘confuse the hell out of foreigners’ – even the fluent ones!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This became clear to me on a recent work trip in Europe, when one of our team used the idiom \u201cfood for thought\u201d. Whilst many delegates in the room listened and nodded, a few people looked a little bit confused and eventually asked what the presenter meant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a fluent or native English speaker, a phrase like ‘food for thought’ might seem simple. But for someone who has never heard it, understanding its meaning could take longer. We’ve written before about how nerve-wracking it can be to present in a foreign language<\/a> – but presenting well in English also requires careful consideration, especially if your audience is of mixed-level fluency…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to present in English to speakers of other languages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When presenting to an international audience or to people for whom English isn\u2019t a first language, it\u2019s essential to adjust your communication style to make your message clearer and more accessible. Effective communication isn\u2019t just about what you say\u2014it\u2019s about how you say it, how you deliver it, and how well you connect with your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few key points to think about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Keep your language clear and concise<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Simplicity is key when speaking to a diverse audience. Avoid using complex sentences, business jargon<\/a>, or English phrases that might not translate well. Instead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n