How can you make your public speaking more accessible to non-native English speakers?

If you're getting a mix of native and non-native English speakers in your presentation, err on the side of caution and make sure you're catering more to the non-native speakers as the native ones will be able to understand and keep up anyway.

I've given talks in Korea, Germany, the Baltics, Russia, Chile, Brazil, and dozens of other countries. Here are my top recommendations when speaking to non-native speakers of English that I follow religiously. 1.) Speak more slowly and deliberately than usual. 2.) Allow for pauses so live interpreters can catch up. They are likely in the room in something that looks like a telephone box. They appreciate pauses. 3.) Use images but nothing with sparingly few words or numbers that need extensive explanations. 4.) Provide interpreters with slides in advance, including jargon words that will come up. 5.) Avoid puns unless they are specific to the language of the group. 6.) Compliment the audience if they ask you questions in your language.

Always keep in mind that some things might get lost in translation. A good example of that is humor. Any interpreter will agree that jokes are the hardest to translate and you might risk being misunderstood. Rather opt for a casual, friendly tone, if your goal is to loosen up the atmosphere.

After having addressed audiences of 250+ multiple times, here's something I have learned: - You will always have a vague idea of the non-English language your crowd speaks, if you know it, then add bits and pieces of it to your speech. - Gauge their body language to see how well they grasp what you're saying. A smile speaks a hundred words. - Avoid verbosity. Aim to be understood. - Use hand gestures appropriately, with visuals to aid your point. If you're still struggling, make your speech interactive by reaching out to a member of the crowd and getting them to ask/answer something and take it from there! Build a connection through your "humanness."

Knowing your audience is a key for the success of your speech. It helps you to alter your script so that you make them feel included. The connection between you and your audience will be instant, once you got yo know your audience. If there are non-English speaking people in the audience, then the best option is to have visual aids which could speak louder than your words.

The words you choose and the cadence you use are equally important when speaking to non-native English speakers. Preparing live interpreters with a deck that includes any jargon callouts will be important to ensure messages are relayed correctly. You can use big words if you like, especially if the languages have similar cognates. Think about many European languages that have similar Germanic or Latin roots. Additionally, you can use industry-specific or profession-specific jargon if the subject matter is specific to the audience, including medical, financial, or technology. Jokes won't work, but discussing the latest trends in your industry is likely to be understood, especially if the interpreters have a background in the subject.

As a non-native English speaker, I can assure you that we get influenced by the accent of the other English speakers easily. This has also put me in situations where I didn't realize how fast I speak or the kind of words I was using. Thanks to my colleagues and friends, I started paying more attention to the words I use - to ensure I keep it as simple as I can. One good way to practice this is to use speech to text convertors. If you see that the words you use are not being captured properly - work on the pace or pronunciations. Relook at the script which is recorded and see if there are ways to simplify the words you use.

Absolutely.. Communication is all about getting the right message in right tone across from speaker to listener. With minimal words usage and speaking slowly and constant feedback cycle we can make the non native speakers comfortable

Cut the crap.. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs. It’s easier for your business partners to understand (and easier for you to produce..) Be clear, concise, direct. Less is more.

I can explain as an individual whose 1st language is not English. For any speaker who is talking to non-native English speakers S/he should use more common words rather than specific jargon. The speaker should be more expressive, and their body language should support their talk. The speaker should be able to relate to present-day example or any object which is surrounded.

How slow is slow? No faster than 150 words/minute (and that will still be fast for many audiences). The larger the group, the slower you should go. Test this by opening a Word doc and copying in a passage with 150 words (check the word count). Set your timer for 60 sec and start reading. If you finish the passage before the time is up, you’re too fast. Give it a try. You’ll be surprised how slow you need to go!

I watch most English speeches and courses at 1.5x or 2x speed because I'm a native English speaker. But when I speak to a group in English. I go much slower than a typical Ted talk. Think: preacher speed. By talking deliberately and with passion, you won't lose much by speaking slowly. And the interpreters present will have a much better chance of keeping up. You want to get your message across after all! Too much content or too many slides could turn into almost no correctly interpreted and conveyed information. Going at a very slow clip of one or two sentences at a time with pauses will have a higher chance of facilitating effective delivery of your message to the audience. Keep it slow. Speak with gusto. Leave room for pauses.

Speak at the speed you want to be spoken to. Communicate in English that can be understood by Mme Dupont, Mr Smith and Yamamoto-San. Many second-language speakers will prefer to do business with you rather than with a hard-to-understand native speaker.

Participating in professional speaking "The art of speech" courses for all members of an organization can be very useful to enhance staff self confidence also the ability to communicate with each other.

I typically encourage people to use fewer words and more pictures on their slides EXCEPT for when speaking to audiences with mixed language levels. Putting words on the screen (especially longer words or words you’re worried could be misunderstood and you can’t avoid) should go on the slide. It helps a lot for listeners to hear and see these words. Also be sure to send your slides in advance so people can familiarize themselves with the topic and content beforehand.

One thing I have found helpful is to use illustrations, practical examples as well as props made from local or relatable items to drive home the point.

The use of infographics have become apart of any engagement I facility. This new way to portray verbiage via illustrations provides an opportunity for access to various audiences. Also offering the slides in another language prior to the engagement also helps the audience to familiarize themselves with the info. I have also answered audience questions via translation and this was well received.

To make your speech more accessible, you might want to act out key phrases to emphasize a point. Also, try using simple words and phrases. You can also learn few words from the other major language like French and use it appropriately and occasionally to keep your audience engaged and connected.

Try stories instead of statements! Our brains are built for narratives - and there’s a reason why some of the biggest global franchises are superhero films with stakes that are easy to understand (even if the galaxy is on the line). No matter what culture you come from, you can connect with the drama and heart of Spider-Man. Stories and anecdotes are a great way to begin any speech and engage the audience, and they can be a great way to connect across cultures and language barriers - especially if they draw on universal themes and archetypes. Check out the 7 Classic Story Structures for universal narratives, practise your story with tips from The Moth, and rehearse on a friend first to check it’s working smoothly!

Irrespective of what you present - be it technical or an executive level presentation - you have to make a coherent story to connect your start to the end. Nobody has any interest in straight facts, which you could have email-ed it to them rather. So, if you get a chance to present, first understand your audience - what are they looking for from this presentation and focus your story accordingly. It also makes it easier for them to understand the concepts, if you can show it with simpler - real life examples - which they can relate to.

You might want to encourage questions and interaction from your audience. This helps non-native speakers to seek clarification and make sure that they are following your message.

Pace, localising the presentation and non verbal communication becomes important. All cultures recognise visual cues, give them the signals they seek, audiences can 'get the gist' without fully understanding speech. Actions and hand gestures can illustrate points better than words sometimes.

Try to make sure interpreters are present. If possible, have full conversations with them before your talk to make sure they understand your key themes, the jargon that is likely to come up, and the likely cadence. It is critical to gauge the linguistic abilities of the interpreters for your event. If you feel their English abilities are weak, this does not bode well for the group overall. In such a case, you would be wise to speak even more slowly than planned. Since visual aids like graphs and charts can augment the discussion to provide clarity, plan to use even more images. Be sure the interpreters can read, understand, and translate your slides. Even if the interpreters struggle, the audience will hopefully grasp the context.

Take a look at previous videos from another guest to see & hear demographic Q&A. I always request previous videos or research to gaze audience. Avoid making jokes related to culture/heritage Avoid slang, jargon, abbreviations and idiomatic expressions Use simple words everyone understands Be mindful of body language, eye contact and personal space Avoid regional humour from your location as it gets lost in translation Use inclusive words to give a sense of belonging. Example hey guys versus hello everyone, folks etc. Speak slowly, and take a pause, as non-English speakers are trying to translate English to the language on their mind.

This is critical when you are targeting an international audience because you need to be as neutral as possible. Some cultures are more reserved than others and you need to be as respectul and emphatic as possible because the goal is that your message reach as many people as possible. Last but no least, try to be open to new ideas and new ways of thinking because in order to have a real conversation with other people it has to go to both ways.

Do not copy Brits, Americans, Australians or any other native English speaker. Their language is filled with idiomatic and slang expressions. They often speak very quickly and with strong regional accents. They use over-complicated grammatical constructions and a very wide vocabulary.

An example I have seen which helped to break the ice and foster a connection with the audience in a similar setting was to learn a few of their everyday words as relates to the topic. During the presentation, the audience was first shocked, then delighted to hear the speaker make an illustration and mention the equivalent word in their native language. The respect, attention and admiration were quite noticeable from that point o.

One thing I have found helpful is simplifying language and avoiding jargon or idioms when addressing non-native English speakers in public speaking. This clarity, combined with clear enunciation and a moderate speaking pace, aids comprehension. Additionally, incorporating visuals, gestures, and repetition of key information enhances understanding. Encouraging audience interaction and providing post-presentation materials for reference further facilitates accessibility. Being culturally sensitive and dedicated practice to refine pronunciation and delivery are also invaluable steps.

English is not my native language and I know the pain non-native speakers feel when they want to start learning and practicing English. That is why we are having a live event it might be very helpful to have subtitles and have them saved for the participants so they can cross check and fill gaps if any. Having a question section at the end of the conversation it would be wonderful for the audience so they can ask any question or doubt during the meeting or even complement an idea that will add value to others.

My approach to career topics is "I am going to tell you what no one else will." Everyone is afraid to speak bluntly about workplace expectations because of risk. Legal and reputational. Or, because they expect people to be able to "read between the lines." Those lines are usually cultural-centric. Not relaying a message because of fear is not helping. Bluntness with kindness, empathy, and support will help the most. Pausing for effect emphasizes a point and allows processing time. Gesticulating during a talk helps cross many cultural divides among the audience. Some cultures gesture a lot and will feel at home. Others that don't will also use that information in their comprehension.