Speaking slowly will help listeners understand you better when you are not using your native language.
- Lower your speed so people can follow your sounds.
- Open your mouth wide and pronounce words separately to help everyone understand everything.
- Introduce pauses between sentences to give you time to think, and for listeners to absorb what you have just said.
- Maintain eye contact to check whether people are following your words.
- Do not shout. Shouting will not help and will make listeners uncomfortable.
How to know whether you’re speaking too quickly? Record and listen to yourself. Anything above 150 words per minute would definitely be too fast!
Read Andrew’s books on how to improve your business English here: www.andymiles.com