How can non-native speakers develop the most important public speaking skills?

First of all, know your purpose which is communication, not perfection. After this first step is clear, do as follows: - Don't worry about the perfect accent. - You will sound more credible and knowledgeable by speaking slowly rather than fast. - Be mindful of audible pauses. Make an actual pause (silence) instead. This silence will create an air of mystery and suspense. Remember, "uhh" is the most commonly used audible pause in the English language. - Relax! Smile and make eye contact. - Don't memorize your speech/presentation. Just memorize the first sentence of each slide, then go with the flow. Use talking points instead of a script. Practice, practice, practice. Practice makes perfect! P.S: Take it from a non-native speaker.

🤝 Connect Through Shared Experiences: Consider sharing your journey as a non-native speaker. This not only humanizes you but also helps build a deeper connection with your audience. 🌍 Embrace Cultural Differences: As a non-native speaker, recognizing and embracing cultural differences in communication styles is key. It shows respect for your audience and enhances mutual understanding. ✅ Be Clear and Concise: As a non-native speaker, clarity in speech is crucial. Avoid complex jargon and focus on conveying your message simply and effectively. 👂 Listen and Adapt: Pay attention to the audience's response and be willing to adapt your speech. This shows that you are considerate of their understanding and engagement.

As a sociolinguist and nonnative English speaker, I recommend 3 types of practice: 1. Practice on your own. Contrary to pervasive bias, acquiring American English accent is near impossible unless you learned it before puberty. So, focus on pronunciation + intonation, both of which can dramatically improve your speech when you enunciate + adjust the speed. 2. Practice with others. Toastmasters offers a supportive & self-paced environment and general audience feedback. To progress quickly in specific areas, work with a speaker coach who knows how language functions. 3. Practice your content! A speaker's accent is often judged, stereotyped & discriminated (even perpetuated by those who share their mother tongue). Good news is content is KING.

Try to stay confident. Remember that speaking a foreing language is a already a superpower. Use a simpler language during your speech.

You can always emulate the "standard" dialect of English or any other vernacular language for that matter, but your own structural understanding prevails in the end. Besides, nobody can emulate your unique self!

I would phrase this differently and say "don't unnecessarily overcomplicate your language". If you are speaking to an audience that has a shared understanding of technical jargon or similar - avoiding that in your talk will not make it better, and can in the worst case come off as insecure. Make sure, of course, that you have a shared understanding of complicated words, concepts, terminology and so on with your audience - then trust yourself to use it, even if it's your second language. (For the record, I'm speaking from experience here as a born-and-raised Norwegian who does all his work in English.)

THE CLIENT’S PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT MAKES A GREAT MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER What makes you an excellent keynote speaker, even as a non-native English speaker? Check out what event organisors are looking for: “GIJS MADE THE AUDIENCE LAUGH, THINK AND WONDER” Agata Wiewiora, Polish Innovation Day. “A COLOURFUL, ENGAGING, INSPIRING STORYTELLER” Delony Langer, 3M, USA. “HE CREATES AN INNOVATIVE MINDSET AT THE AUDIENCE” Anne-Laure Pardijon, AIRBUS GROUP. So when you want to be a great speaker, make people LAUGH, THINK, and WONDER, by being a COLOURFUL, ENGAGING, INSPIRING STORYTELLER creating INNOVATIVE MINDSETS. Wishing you lots of success! Gijs #speaker #publicspeaking #motivationalspeaking

For non-native speakers using visual aids and notes in public speaking: Strategic Use of Visual Aids: Incorporate slides, charts, or videos to clarify and emphasize points, making your speech more engaging and easier to follow. Remember, these aids should enhance, not replace, your verbal communication. Smart Notes: Utilize bullet points or keywords on cue cards as a roadmap for your speech. They should jog your memory, not serve as a full script, allowing for a more natural and interactive delivery. From my perspective, the art of using visual aids and notes lies in their ability to serve as bridges, connecting your ideas with the audience's understanding.

TEN PRACTICAL RULES THAT ‘MADE ME FLY’ ON STAGE I transformed into a keynote speaker on design thinking innovation, performing all of the world. That’s why I like to share with you ten practical rules to become a great keynote speaker too: 1. Understand your audience by knowing what’s keeping them awake at night. 2. Tell stories. 3. Use gestures purposefully. 4. Entertain and use humour to break the ice. 5. Vary tone, pace and volume. 6. Be genuine and share personal anecdotes to humanise your presentation. 7. Be passionate. 8. Exaggerate as a real actor would do. 9. Dress up, fitting your subject and personality to create more impact. 10. Talk to one person (in mind). Lots of success! #keynote #keynotespeaker #speaker #topspeaker

or non-native speakers developing public speaking skills: Enhance Language Proficiency: Practice reading, writing, and speaking regularly. Focus on Pronunciation: Use language apps and speak slowly for clarity. Practice Speeches: Rehearse and record to improve pacing and body language. Understand Cultural Nuances: Learn idiomatic expressions and cultural references. Seek Feedback: Get input from native speakers or language experts. Build Confidence: Focus on strengths and the value of your perspective. Use Visual Aids: Support your speech with visual elements. Simplify Language: Opt for clear, simple language for ease of communication. These steps help non-native speakers become more effective and confident in public speaking.