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by Andrew D. Miles 15 ways to improve communication in business English Copyright by Andrew D. Miles and English for Business www.barcelonaenglish.com www.madridenglish.net www.englishphone.biz 15 Ways to Improve Oral Communication in Business English Copyright by Andrew D. Miles, Barcelona, 2007. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form without written authorization from the author. Cover photograph by Andrew D. Miles [email protected] www.barcelonaenglish.com 15 ways to improve communication in business English Copyright by Andrew D. Miles and English for Business www.barcelonaenglish.com www.madridenglish.net www.englishphone.biz 1. INTRO PHRASES Use introductory phrases before your message to catch people’s attention, so they are listening before you emit your main point. This will also let listeners adjust their hearing to your speed, pronunciation and tone of voice. Therefore, they’ll already be used to your phonemes when you display the main idea. Andrew’s note: E A common mistake is to XAMPLES think people will be listening when you say From my point of view, something important. this idea is wrong. In fact, they don’t know it’s important until you’ve said it! As a matter of fact, this idea is wrong. 15 ways to improve communication in business English Copyright by Andrew D. Miles and English for Business www.barcelonaenglish.com www.madridenglish.net www.englishphone.biz 1. INTRO PHRASES (cid:2) I’d like to remind you that (cid:2) From my point of view (cid:2) Let me tell you that (cid:2) Apparently (cid:2) In my opinion (cid:2) I believe that (cid:2) It seems that (cid:2) It appears that (cid:2) In fact (cid:2) It sounds as if (cid:2) Evidently (cid:2) Seemingly (cid:2) At first sight (cid:2) On the face of it (cid:2) As a matter of fact (cid:2) Essentially (cid:2) I’m sure that (cid:2) Today I’d like to say that (cid:2) According to what I know 15 ways to improve communication in business English Copyright by Andrew D. Miles and English for Business www.barcelonaenglish.com www.madridenglish.net www.englishphone.biz 2. MEMORISING Memorise key words – since you will not have time to look for them when needed. Knowing the meaning of words is not enough. They aren’t useful until you’ve been through the whole learning cycle. This implies that you have to understand the word, know how to use it, memorise it and be able to recall it when needed. Try to revise vocabulary a week after you’ve learned it and check if you remember it one month later. Andrew’s note: Knowing the meaning of expressions is different to being able to apply them automatically. Vocabulary is not useful until it’s at the tip of your tongue. 15 ways to improve communication in business English Copyright by Andrew D. Miles and English for Business www.barcelonaenglish.com www.madridenglish.net www.englishphone.biz 3. ONE-IDEA PHRASES Use one idea to a sentence and build the sentence around the idea. English is a language of few, precise words where economy is a plus. Many listeners are used to short sentences and find it hard to handle several notions in one phrase. It is better to repeat the same ideas in several formats so people who do not follow your point in one way have the chance to understand it in another. Andrew’s note: Transmit a concept more effectively by explaining it, then giving an example, showing a graph and if possible also by including it in a story, joke or anecdote. 15 ways to improve communication in business English Copyright by Andrew D. Miles and English for Business www.barcelonaenglish.com www.madridenglish.net www.englishphone.biz 4. GESTURES Magnify facial gestures, since they will help to get your message across in case verbal language fails and people don’t follow your words. Remember that body Andrew’s note: language transmits a It’s important to lot of information use gestures when speaking. so don’t be afraid of However, act out your conversation gesticulating. in front of your teacher and check Listeners will take whether your non-verbal signs as part non-verbal signs are suitable for of your personality and the culture of the country you are will not pay conscious visiting. attention to your gestures. As a foreign speaker your weakest area of communication is verbal language, so make up for this lack with stronger non-verbal signs. 15 ways to improve communication in business English Copyright by Andrew D. Miles and English for Business www.barcelonaenglish.com www.madridenglish.net www.englishphone.biz 5. TOPIC CHANGE Give clear clues when you change subjects so listeners become aware that you’re no longer talking about the same issue. It’s a good idea to remember you must give listeners a map of your speech – people must know exactly where they are standing so they don’t get lost. Listeners might be Andrew’s note: getting just part of Remember that if it’s difficult for you to your message, so speak, it is also difficult for listeners to markers help them to understand. Thus, know which subject is give them lots of clues to help them navigate now being discussed. your speech. 15 ways to improve communication in business English Copyright by Andrew D. Miles and English for Business www.barcelonaenglish.com www.madridenglish.net www.englishphone.biz 5. TOPIC CHANGE CLUES S AMPLES (cid:2) By the way, now we can talk about (cid:2) I’d like to move onto (cid:2) Could we now deal with? (cid:2) Incidentally, may I mention that? (cid:2) I believe this is the right time to (cid:2) It has just crossed my mind to (cid:2) To bring up another subject (cid:2) An alternative point to consider (cid:2) Changing subjects, I want to (cid:2) While we are on the subject (cid:2) Before I forget (cid:2) On quite another matter 15 ways to improve communication in business English Copyright by Andrew D. Miles and English for Business www.barcelonaenglish.com www.madridenglish.net www.englishphone.biz 6. INTERRUPTING Interrupting is difficult in a language that you don’t handle well, because often when your opportunity comes you can’t find the right words! Therefore, it’s essential to learn how to interrupt with proper expressions. You will need to use these phrases without any delay when inserting a comment or disagreeing with a statement. Speed is important, as opportunities to say something rarely last for long. The key to effective interruptions is the right mix of forcefulness and politeness. Also, you’ll sometimes need to insist several times until you catch people’s attention. 15 ways to improve communication in business English Copyright by Andrew D. Miles and English for Business www.barcelonaenglish.com www.madridenglish.net www.englishphone.biz