You Know Enough English to Choose 'Good' Words in your Presentation

Without a doubt, presenting in a second language presents extra challenges, even if those challenges are actually more psychological than real! (I speak from experience – my Spanish is totally fluent but I still struggle to believe I can present as well in Spanish as I do in English.)

But fluency isn’t all about speed. It’s also about clarity through word choice. And in the context of presenting, your fluency is also impacted by how much you practice your presentation beforehand.

Consider these three actions to help you choose ‘good’ words in your presentation and deliver them confidently through prior rehearsal.

?1. Think about your key words and phrases

When you get to the stage in your presentation where you’re putting words to your ideas, think about the words you choose. Are they simple and straightforward? Have you checked their pronunciation? Are you able to convey facts without adding extra, unnecessary words? Do some of your words demonstrate energy and conviction? You’ll need to communicate passion if you want to connect well to your audience.

2. Practice your important words and key messages

Do the words you have chosen flow for you? If you stumble over certain phrases, try to find alternatives that are easier for you to say. But before you abandon some words and phrases, practice saying them more slowly. In general, presenters speak too quickly in presentations. As a non-native speaker, you not only have an excuse to slow down, your audience will appreciate it on the day as they get more time to assimilate your message.

3. Always rehearse your presentation out loud

Going through what you want to say in your presentation in your head is NOT rehearsing – you need to speak your presentation out loud. And it’s even better if you record yourself. Get used to the feeling of discomfort from hearing your own voice. You can get to the ‘other side’ on this, it’s all part of the process of building your fluency and confidence.

Focusing on key language and practicing speaking it out loud are only a small part of presentation preparation, but they do go a long way to improving your fluency. Make sure you give them the consideration they deserve