Presenting is a daunting task for many professionals, but presenting in a foreign language can be a nerve-racking experience. Over the years, we have assisted many professionals, who work for international organisations, in delivering presentations in a foreign language. Beyond being fluent, several techniques can elevate your multilingual presentation skills. Brace yourself for the ultimate list of tips to deliver a phenomenal presentation in a foreign language.
Get ahead of your presentation: start preparing now!
While it may be tempting to prepare your presentation in your native tongue, starting with the foreign language from the outset is recommended. Translating afterwards can result in awkward phrasing that will need to be corrected later. To summarise, it is recommended to brainstorm, take notes, and develop your story in the foreign language from the start, such as in English.
What if you stumble over words when presenting in another language?
It is best to avoid stumbling over words, but occasionally they slip through or can’t be avoided. In such instances, things can go awry. You may begin to stammer or struggle to recall the word. Unfortunately, many presenters then make the mistake of fixating on finding the right word, which can interupt the natural flow of the presentation. To overcome this, the most reliable solution is to start at the beginning of the sentence, rephrase it, and regain your momentum.
Do not apologise!
During a presentation, avoid drawing attention to your mistakes. Apologising for your language proficiency can distract from your message and make your audience overly aware of something that may not have been a concern for them. Instead, focus on delivering your message with confidence and clarity.
Avoid word-for-word translations
Avoid the temptation to translate your presentation word for word when presenting in another language. This method often produces awkward and unnatural language, which can hinder effective communication of your message. Instead, take a step back and consider how you would naturally communicate your ideas in the foreign language. This allows you to reset your approach and deliver a presentation that flows smoothly and engages your audience.
Create a powerful opening
When presenting in another language, a strong opening sets the tone for success. Focus on mastering the first few minutes of your story, which can help you mentally ease into your presentation and present the rest of your content more smoothly.
Speak out loud
It is common for people to draft their presentations, which can be especially helpful when presenting in a foreign language. However, it is important to say the words out loud during your preparation. This helps you transition from complicated written language to more natural, colloquial language.
Work in a private room
The tip of practising your presentation out loud is crucial, yet often overlooked. People tend to work on their presentations in the presence of colleagues, which makes them uncomfortable to speak out loud and distract others. Find a private space where you can freely practise and speak out loud without any restrictions or fear of being judged.
Do not use complex language
When presenting in a foreign language, be mindful of using complicated words, jargon or other complex language. These can be stumbling blocks that hinder effective communication and fail to captivate the audience. Instead, consider using visual language to convey your message, as it can enhance the overall quality of your presentation.
Spend more time on the story than the PowerPoint
To give a great presentation in a foreign language, it is important to spend enough time for practising your narration. When we feel anxious, we often rely too heavily on our slides, leading to a disproportionate amount of time focusing on the PowerPoint. It’s a shame because the PowerPoint should merely complement your presentation as a helpful tool.
Presenting in English? Use verbs!
When practising your presentation out loud, you may realise that written English is more formal than spoken English. Written English tends to include more nouns and sounds less natural than using verbs. For instance, consider the following two sentences:
- “The update of the website was performed last month by the hosting provider.”
- “The hosting provider updated the website last month.”
The second sentence is more concise and easier to follow.
Keep your energy high!
Presenting in a foreign language requires more cognitive effort. If you learned the language later in life, your brain will constantly work on translating sentences into your native tongue. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that you are well-rested.
Pay attention to dates, times and numbers
When delivering a presentation in a language other than your own, paying close attention to detail is critical. Ensure that your slides conform to the language’s standards by adjusting dates, times and numbers. For instance, the use of a full stop or a comma can significantly impact the value represented in euros. It is also recommended to include this information on your slide, correctly pronouncing these details is often a challenge, so having them written down can be helpful.
Check for cultural sensitivities
The acceptance of strong language varies across different cultures. In the Netherlands, it may still be tolerated by some audiences, but in most other countries it is considered highly inappropriate. It is important to be aware of cultural differences and avoid anything that could be seen as taboo or offensive. For instance, in some cultures a picture of a woman in a swimsuit during a presentation on an online summer campaign could be seen as inappropriate. Sometimes even the smallest details can make a big difference. Take for instance the case of a construction company that nearly lost their pitch to a sheikh because the people in the picture were wearing the “wrong collar”. It may seem insignficant but the collar was deemed inappropriate and had to be changed just in time.
Speak with more control
While many presentation trainers suggest slowing down your speech when you encounter difficulties, we believe it’s not always the best strategy. Speaking slowly can be dull and may make you more self-conscious, hindering the flow of your presentation. The key is to convey your message clearly and the pace of your speech is just one element in achieving that. What really matters is the rhythm and cadence of your speech. It is better to express something twice with enthusiasm in different ways than to speak very slowly, causing your audience to lose interest. Therefore, it is essential to embrace the tension and concentrate on your articulation.
Record yourself
Working on your articulation in another language can be daunting but it is also one of the most effective ways to improve. Recording yourself and watching or listening to the playback can help you identify areas for improvement and work on your cadence, intonation and pronunciation. However, it is important to give yourself enough time to practise and not rush it just before a presentation. While it may be uncomfortable to hear or see yourself, remember that it is a necessary step to becoming a more confident and effective presenter.
Watch out for Dunglish, Denglisch or Frunch
In Dutch, we often use the phrase “Ik geef het woord aan…”, but the English equivalent “I give the word to…” doesn’t make sense. The book “I Always Get My Sin” is a delightful collection of incorrect Dunglish (Dutch+English) expressions.
Expand your vocabulary
To effectively present in a professional setting, it is important to have a strong command of the language. Learning basic French words on Duolingo or picking up colloquial English from movies and TV shows is insufficient. It is vital to expand your vocabulary to improve your language proficiency.
Pro tip: Present it to a native!
When it comes to Dunglish, cultural sensitivity and clear language it can be difficult to spot mistakes on your own. The best tip is to practise your presentation with a native speaker. However, finding a native speaker in your network is not always possible. In that case, you can turn to online language learning platforms like Myngle. Here, you can hire locals for a language lesson. Ideal for improving your business vocabulary and practising your presentation skills on-demand, while also ensuring cultural sensitivy with the help of a native speaker.
Working with translators and interpreters
Interpreters can have a profound impact on your presentation, particularly when they translate your story live into another language. At the European Parliament, for instance, interpreters first translate Dutch to English, followed by translations into other languages. A good joke may result into three consecutive bursts of laughter through the room, first from the Dutch, then the English speakers and finally the non-native speakers. However, jokes or proverbs may not translate well and may lose their intended meaning. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of this and adjust accordingly.
