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7 Rules for Successfully Communicating with a
non-native English Speaker
By Terry Kaufman, ExpatExchange.com
Communication is effective when a message is clear. As a communicator, you are
responsible for the language you use. It is your job to be sure that people
understand you. The obstacle is that native English speakers often assume that
everyone speaks and understands English.
This assumption can be dangerous and unproductive when you communicate with
non-native speakers. Poor communication with non-native speakers may create
feelings of alienation, hostility, and resistance due to the ineffective use of
English. Those feelings could create an unfavorable working environment.
Here are 7 rules for a successful communication approach when you interact with
non-native English speakers:
1. Never assume that non-native English speakers understand and speak English.
Do not presume that they are capable of using English as fluently as native
English speakers. Address differences in language and communication difficulties
to create a communication-friendly environment.
2. Show non-native speakers that you are making an effort to speak their
language. You do not have to be fluent in the language they speak. Try to learn
important words and expressions to make a positive impression. If non-native
speakers see that you are trying to speak their language, they will make an
effort to speak your language.
3. Prepare differently. You cannot interact with a non-native speaker the same
way you communicate with a native English speaker. Be aware of specific
difficulties and prepare ahead of time. Before a conference call, meeting, or
presentation, send a prepared written document to the non-native participants.
Detail important items and action plans in clear and precise English.
4. Be creative. During a conference call, meeting, or presentation, it is
important to improvise. Creativity is a key element in successful communication
with non-native English speakers. Be attentive to their body language and
non-verbal communication. Look for signs that they do not understand. If you
sense that your message is not clear, be creative and use different words or
sentence constructions. Do not hesitate to clarify by asking, "Is that clear? ",
"Was I comprehensible?", and "What questions do you have? "
5. Use a thesaurus. A thesaurus is the most useful tool a native English speaker
can use with a non-native speaker. One vital element of effective communication
is the ability to systematically use different words if one word is not clear.
If there is a word that a non-native speaker has difficulty with, replace it
with a synonym.
6. Keep a journal. Communicating with non-native English speakers is a learning
process. It takes time to see which methods and techniques work effectively. If
you write down your interactions, you can see the techniques that work and the
problems to avoid.
7. Smile! A smile is universal and communicates more than words. When you are
sincere, a smile represents patience, warmth, kindness, and empathy. Those are
important qualities you must have when you communicate with non-native English
speakers.
Source:
http://www.expatexchange.com/lib.cfm?networkID=159&articleID=3030
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