-
Target Test Prep's 2024 GMAT Focus Edition prep is discounted for the BTG community!
Redeem
Stanford-Backed Advice for Non-Native Speakers
Have you ever felt clueless in a conversation with native English speakers? Maybe they used idioms you haven’t heard before or slang expressions that make no sense whatsoever. Even if you consider yourself fluent in English, you still might feel intimidated in business or classroom settings sometimes—especially when you need to make a presentation. If this sounds familiar, check out these communication tips for non-native speakers from a recent episode of Stanford GSB’s Think Fast Talk Smart podcast.
Host and communications professor Matt Abrahams speaks with Kenneth Romeo, associate director for the Stanford Language Center, about ways non-native speakers can boost their confidence levels in English. You can listen to the podcast here, and see some of the key takeaways from their conversation below.
Tip 1: Non-native speakers need to forget about “perfection.”
We all want to communicate well, especially in a professional or academic setting. But obsessing about every little mistake you make will only hinder your progress. Plus, there is no one right way to communicate—even for native English speakers.
“I think the most important thing for a non-native speaker to remember is that they’re not going to be a native speaker, never, ever,” says Romeo. “But they can get pretty close through lots of practice and getting more confident about things.”
Tip 2: Improve your English through stuff you actually enjoy.
A popular strategy is to cut off TV and media consumption in your native language. Immerse yourself in the English that interests you. Studying from the so-called “best” book, or class, or podcast, etc. will do little to help matters if you don’t find the material engaging. “If you’re not doing something that’s interesting or motivating, it’s not going to improve you,” Romeo says.
“The whole thing about language is that it’s about doing, not knowing,” he adds. “So as much as you read, and you look at the rules and things like that, until you actually use that language, you’re never going to internalize it.”
Tip 3: Your best language-improving tool is right in your pocket.
Some people feel their English reading and writing abilities are much better than their speaking skills. If you want to improve your spontaneous conversations, Romeo recommends using your phone to record yourself speaking. That way, you can objectively examine how you sound when talking in an unrehearsed way. Now, most of us hate the sound of our recorded voices. But don’t let embarrassment prevent you from trying this strategy.
You can also find apps that help with vocabulary, and use your camera to take pictures of signs with unfamiliar words to look up later, Romeo suggests. Take full advantage of all the tools your phone can offer.
Tip 4: Outlines are a big help for non-native speakers.
When it comes to giving presentations, trying to memorize your material word-for-word only increases your cognitive load and adds more pressure, says Abraham. “I tell my non-native speakers or clients if you need to write things out just to get the flow and the grammar right, that’s okay. But then from that, create an outline and practice from the outline,” he explains.
Romeo agrees, noting that the best speakers always have an outline in their minds but can move things around as the situation requires. “It takes a long time to get to that position,” he admits. “But the first step is writing the outline out, working from there.”
Tip 5: Enlist the aid of an editor.
When the style and substance of your writing or presentation really matters, consider getting outside help. Romeo suggests non-native speakers find someone to edit their work, and then carefully study those polished edits. “Nobody’s going to be perfect,” he says. You need to see what you did wrong and internalize those corrections, so it doesn’t happen again.
Tip 6: When the words escape you, explain again in a different way.
For non-native speakers, giving presentations in English can feel especially nerve-wracking. What if you go blank in the middle of it? “Many of my students are so worried about not having the right word,” notes Abrahams. “What I suggest is, do the best you can, and be comfortable repeating yourself in a different way.”
Repetition, he adds, gives the audience another chance to take in the information. It also enhances their retention of what you’ve said.
One of the best ways to avoid going blank in the first place is to practice, practice, practice. Use that outline we mentioned above and rehearse your presentation out loud until you feel comfortable. Remember, the goal is not memorization. But you do want that outline to become so ingrained that, even if you stumble on a word or phrase, you still have a clear grasp of what you want to say.
You may never communicate with native-level fluency, and that’s okay. Romeo and Abrahams say there’s a lot you can do to improve your communication strategies in English and come across as a competent and confident speaker. All you need is a curiosity-based mindset—and to take off some of that pressure to be perfect.
***
Did you enjoy this post with tips for non-native English speakers? It originally appeared on the Blacklight, Stacy Blackman's weekly newsletter for professionals. At the Blacklight, we aim to illuminate with every dispatch that lands in your inbox. If you’re thirsty for guidance to help you slay it at work or as a student and move your goalposts closer, sign up today!
Recent Articles
Archive
- June 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009