By Jennie Parker
I often hear the same refrain from clients who speak English as a second (or third, or fourth...) language: “I’m sorry for my poor English. I hope you can understand.” Or, “My accent is so bad.”
But what I have found is that apologizing for your language skills puts a spotlight on pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary errors. Your communication partners will likely know that English is not your first language, but when you point out your self-consciousness, your partners may start focusing on the delivery of your message and not the content. Perhaps they hadn’t given your accent or English skills a second thought, but once you point it out, they begin paying attention to it. So, skip the apology and take pride in speaking an additional language (btw, only 20% of Americans can converse in two or more languages.) Second, apologizing can put listeners in an awkward position, feeling compelled to compliment you on your language skills: “You’re doing a good job with your English. I understand perfectly well.” Putting listeners in this position casts you in an insecure or incompetent light. You are confident in your message, so project confidence in your delivery. Remember, your accent is unique and tells a story about you and your experiences. Take pride in it. Finally, apologizing keeps your focus on you instead of the needs of your communication partners. I’ve had several clients so focused on their accents that when they speak in English, they lose track of what they are saying. Instead of focusing on how you are speaking, focus on your audience. How can you convey your message clearly and concisely to your audience? How can you help your audience remember your points or lead them to action? (more on this below) How to Focus on Your Audience (or Listener) I’ve prepared the following tips for situations in which you can plan and rehearse what you will say to an audience or listener. Perhaps you are presenting at a conference or interview, or giving a lecture…
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Blog AuthorJennie Parker has taught English language courses and instructor training courses in a variety of settings both in the US and abroad, including universities, nonprofits, business settings, and private language schools. Archives
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