What are some effective ways to handle phone calls with a language barrier?

Handling calls with language barriers requires preparation; use straightforward language and slow, clear enunciation. Employ visual tools like shared documents for clarity. Always seek feedback to ensure understanding, and be patient, allowing extra time for responses.

Speak slowly and clearly Follow up in writing Use technology (translations) Be mindful of cultural differeneces Ask for feedback

Prepare for a call with a non-English-speaking client or colleague by choosing a common language and confirming their comfort. Prioritize clarity, avoid jargon, and use visual aids for context. Be mindful of cultural differences, adapt your communication style, and actively listen, allowing for pauses. Encourage questions, send materials in advance for review, and use translation technology judiciously. Express appreciation for their contributions, fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Building a connection based on respect and understanding lays the foundation for successful communication.

Be well prepared, have documentation shared prior to the meeting with the purpose, agenda, expected outcomes and the expectations on the roles and responsibilities. Have this in a presentation for during the call to be able to refer to and where possible make the call a video call for that visual awareness and ability to identify any confusion or misunderstanding on content and context visually as well as being able to identify body language responses as the call progresses. Always note the outcomes and key points of the call, and agree on next steps and send to all participants including the action items with the “who” and by “when”. Request confirmation on the accuracy of the notes and any alterations, additions or clarification required.

Try to understand their culture as well and be aware of the differences to properly navigate the topics. E.g. some might appreciate it if you are very direct where others might find you rude.

Working with teams internationally, you need to understand that not everyone is programmed on the same wavelink. Keeping it simple is key! Break it down step by step and what are the tasks that need to be accomplished. Have clear deadlines and expectations for the team and then you will have a successful interaction. Feed only the necessary information and don't do a data dump that will just confuse the team.

A picture does speak more than a thousand words and should be the go to tool to cut across the language barrier. A PowerPoint slide with a digram showing what you want to convey and with as less language but more of depiction will surely help. Do send it out much before your meeting so the audience has time to digest it, make their notes and be ready for the queries in the further discussions. It will help all those involved cover much ground offline, giving them ample time to communicate during the meeting as that may take longer than usual in case of a language barrier.

Specially with our accents. Don't assume you have neutral accent or easy to understand. Focus on rate of speech as well. Make sure to pause and check if you are clear enough

Try to keep it slow, short and crisp. Listen properly and make notes during the phone call. This will help you later when you have to follow up in email or message. Also, if there is any miscommunication or misunderstanding, it will become clear.

Besides talking slowly and using simple words, it’s also important to ask the team to re-explain things in their own words to make sure they understood it correctly.

It's recommended not to talk fast, especially while communicating with a foreign individual. People with different accents can be a bit tough to catch. If you fail to understand them, politely ask them to repeat their words. Even though it might bother the person on the other end, it's always better to receive the right information.