Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

It is difficult for people whose first language is not English to communicate in English. Many speak English very well, but not all. The ability to speak to people whose English is not at their best is a skill that can be developed in oneself. Be patient. We will help you learn how to communicate with such people more effectively.

Steps

1. 1 Speak clearly and pronounce the words correctly. If you have a strong regional accent, try to keep it to a minimum. Pronounce the words the way the person you are talking to says. This will help him understand you better.
2. 2 Understand that people will not understand you by raising your voice. This is a very common mistake often made when dealing with people who don't speak English well. But don't talk too softly.
3. 3 Do not cover your mouth so that the other person can follow your lips. This can make him understand what you are saying.
4. 4 Speak grammatically correctly. Then it will be easier to understand you. Don't come across as uneducated.
5. 5 Do not shorten words and separate words with pauses. Don't use slang.
6. 6 Use simple words whenever possible. The simpler your speech, the easier it is to understand it (instead of enormous say big, instead of manufacture - make). If you are speaking to a Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese or Romanian, do the exact opposite.Since these languages ​​have common roots with English - Latin - representatives of these nationalities will easily understand complex words.
7. 7 Avoid similar expressions and phrases. In English, it is enough to add another preposition to a word to change its meaning. Look out means be careful, look for means search, and look out for means beware. How not to get confused here!
8. 8 Avoid colloquialisms. People who don't speak English well enough won't take what you are trying to say to them. Especially because most of the English colloquialisms are not in the dictionary.
9. 9 If you are not understood the first time, repeat it again. Perhaps the interlocutor simply did not hear you. If you are still confused, rephrase the sentence to avoid misunderstandings.
10. 10 The other person may not understand your accent. Some teach British English at school and others American. Try to neutralize your accent.
11. 11 Rephrase. Look for a synonym for the word.
12. 12 Do not use abbreviations and abbreviated forms of verbs. Instead of saying can’t, say can not, instead of don’t - do not.
13. 13 Do not say unnecessary words, do not create sound noise. Speak only to the point, you do not need to fill the speech with introductory words and complex verbal adjectives. Think before you say anything. In order not to mislead the interlocutor, say yes instead of right so that he does not think that you are sending him to the right. Avoid using parasitic words such as um, like, you know.
14. 14 Answer unequivocally. Say "Yes" instead of "Aha", because this word is not in the dictionary.
15. 15 Listen carefully to the interlocutor, and only then start answering him. Don't interrupt.
16. 16 Keep in mind that different cultures have different traditions. Perhaps in the country from which your interlocutor came, it is not customary to touch the interlocutor, not look him in the eyes, stand too close to each other.
17. 17 Be patient, smile. The more relaxed you are, the easier it is to communicate with you, and the more at ease your interlocutor feels. Think what you say, do not say what you think.
18. 18 Do not Cry. If there is no noise around, speak in a calm voice. Shouting can offend the other person.

Tips

• Speak more slowly than usual. Give the person more time to understand what you are saying.
• Be friendly. Don't be impatient.
• When you ask for something: even if you are trying to speak politely, it is better to avoid unnecessary introductory phrases so as not to confuse the interlocutor. Better to say directly what you need, do not forget to say "thank you" and "please".
• People who translate from language to language need more time to answer your question. Wait for them to collect their thoughts.
• Write what you want to say. Written communication is easier.
• Sign actively. Perhaps the interlocutor will understand you by gestures.
• If you are having trouble verbal communication, try drawing the subject on paper.
• If you can't find a common language with the interlocutor, try to say each word in the sentence very slowly from the very beginning.
• If you're still having trouble, try communicating in a different language. For example, if your interlocutor is German, but also speaks French, and you speak French better than German, switch to French.
• If you failed to convey the meaning of what was said to the interlocutor, think about whether it is possible to formulate the sentence differently.
• If the person has just started learning English, remember that they translate (mentally) every word into their native language. Therefore, he may incorrectly formulate English sentences. Try to understand it. Ask him to formulate what he said in other words. If you think the other person is speaking rudely, most likely they are not.He just doesn't know how to correctly formulate English sentences.
• If the interlocutor does not understand you, repeat what was said.
• Resign yourself to the thought that you will never understand everything that was said. Try to guess what the other person means. If you absolutely need to understand everything a person says, for example, you are discussing the details of a trip, buying tickets, seeing a doctor, use the dictionary. Otherwise, accept that some of the meaning will remain lost.
• Pocket translators now do not exceed the size of a regular calculator, and their cost is no more than $ 20 (go to the site [1] to see prices). With their help, you will be able to communicate in writing if this communication is important to you.
• If you are talking to a person who comes from Western Europe, try to use complex words, due to the similarity of your languages, it will be easier for him to understand you.

Warnings

• Do not touch the interlocutor, especially if he belongs to another culture. In many countries, it is not customary to touch the interlocutor during a conversation.
• Do not agree with the interlocutor if you do not understand what he said. This can turn into a serious misunderstanding. For example, if a person asks you where the hospital is, and you answer him “yes,” he may not understand your behavior.
• There are words that have different meanings depending on the context. Try to avoid using such words.
• It is best to hire an interpreter, especially if the conversation is important. Know how to determine if your communication skills are enough to understand each other.
• Some words sound similar, but are spelled differently. If there is a misunderstanding, write down the word on paper, or draw what you mean.
• Don't be condescending or try to imitate the other person's accent.
• If you have a strong accent (like South American), write what you are trying to say. Even if the other person is fluent in English, they may not understand your accent.
• Never correct the interlocutor, unless he asked you to. Do not try to explain to the interlocutor that he is speaking grammatically incorrectly, firstly, it may offend him, and secondly, he will be ashamed to continue the conversation. Do not pretend to be a teacher if you are not.