Speak English at Work: Action 1
The first thing you can do to speak English at work without worrying is to…plan for the worst! This might sound a bit dramatic, but it really means you plan ahead. Here’s how.
- Imagine the worst things that can happen when you speak English at work.
- Make a plan in case it really happens.
For example, you might worry that you don’t understand a colleague or client. In that case, plan to say this:
I’m not familiar with that expression, can you please rephrase it?
Another common fear that people have when they speak English at work is being misunderstood. In case that happens, say this:
Let me start again.
…And then express yourself again using different words.
The heavy language anxiety will decrease when you have a plan of action for every worst-case scenario. On that note, it’s a good idea to think of key English phrases that will help you in your daily tasks. Write these down, and keep them close to your workspace. That way, they will be ready to go when you need them to speak English at work.
“You’re essentially training yourself to connect speaking English with a positive experience”
Speak English at Work: Action 2
When you speak English at work, it’s important to remember the main goal: effective communication. So instead of trying to use the most complex grammar and vocabulary when you speak English at work, a smarter action is to keep things simple. What does this look like in practice?
- Use simple sentence construction and vocabulary.
- Speak naturally and even slowly – but don’t rush.
- Only use sophisticated language if you are 100% confident about it.
These strategies help you to express your message clearly and efficiently as a professional. Remember these points, and you will perform your work tasks more successfully, put less pressure on your English, and put less pressure on yourself.
Speak English at Work: Action 3
A great way to eliminate bad feelings about English is to change your relationship with the language. A way to do this is to set goals and reward yourself. The idea is that you speak English at work and associate it with good times!
Start small. For example, the goal can be “I’m going to say one thing in English in my meeting today”. The reward can be a posh coffee for doing it. Then next time, you say TWO things in your English meeting, and get a chocolate bar (or the treat of your choice!).
You’re essentially training yourself to connect speaking English with a positive experience. It might seem simple, but this approach can quickly change how you feel about English at work. As you start with small goals and rewards, you’ll naturally build up to bigger challenges. Over time, this boosts your confidence, motivating you to do even more when speaking English at work. It creates a positive cycle that keeps you moving forward.
Want to go further?
