Fluent English Pro

Discover how to make your messages clear and concise in professional English, especially as a non-native speaker. This episode tackles the biggest communication barrier: confidence, and provides practical frameworks to structure work conversations, adapt your message for diverse stakeholders, and navigate cultural differences to communicate with impact.Meet Our Guest: Chris Fennig is a communication expert whose background spans engineering, project management, and leadership in over 20 countries. He shifted from corporate life to teaching, sharing "hard-won experience". Chris believes that communication is "absolutely a learnable skill set".Top Takeaways:Boost Confidence: Speak with conviction; mistakes are part of learning, not a barrier to clarity.Structure Work Talks: Use Topic, Intent, Point (TIP), then Goal, Problem, Solution (GPS) for clarity.Adapt for Your Audience: Translate technical terms into "efforts and outcomes" they value.Vocabulary Corner:Go by the bushes: Meaning: To avoid direct communication, often using elaborate or indirect language. Example: "Instead of going by the bushes, please get straight to the point about the project deadline."Culture shock: Meaning: A feeling of confusion or discomfort experienced when encountering a new culture or way of doing things. Example: "Moving from a highly social work environment to a very direct one gave me culture shock."Hard-won experience: Meaning: Valuable knowledge or skill gained through significant effort and challenges. Example: "Chris Fennig's communication expertise comes from hard-won experience in over 20 countries."Stakeholders: Meaning: Individuals or groups who have an interest in or are affected by a project or business. Example: "It's crucial to tailor your message to different stakeholders, like technical teams versus management."Sugar coat: Meaning: To make something difficult or unpleasant seem more appealing or less severe. Example: "She preferred not to sugar coat the bad news, but to deliver it directly."Helpful Links & Tools:Chris Fennig's Website: https://chrisfenning.com/Chris Fennig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fenning/Chris Fennig's Books (e.g., "The First Minute"): https://chrisfenning.com/books/Book Recommendation: "The Culture Map" by Erin Mayer: https://erinmeyer.com/books/the-culture-map/Become a Member! This is the place for you to boost your English skills and career growth with a supportive community — without the limitations of a packed schedule. Join our membership community here: https://fluentenglishpro.com/members/ ***********************Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4svKh6w8nUtdFwV9CzVG6h  Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fluent-english-pro/id1706003460 Follow us on Social Media: Find us on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.@fluentenglish.pro (IG) https://www.instagram.com/fluentenglish.pro/

In today’s episode we address the common anxieties of non-native English-speaking professionals, from perfectionism to accent concerns. Discover how to leverage your leadership voice, adapt communication culturally, and cultivate connections to excel in your career.Meet Our Guest: Tania Suarez is a leadership communication coach empowering non-native English-speaking executives worldwide. Top Takeaways:Lead with Your Voice, Not Perfect English: Your expertise matters more than linguistic perfection in leadership roles.Embrace Mistakes with Grace: Leaders recover quickly and gracefully from errors, showing confidence and command.Adapt Your Communication Style: Understand cultural context; American business often values directness over lengthy warm-ups.Practice in Low-Pressure Situations: Build essential communication skills and confidence in safe, everyday settings.Strategic Pauses are Your Friend: Intentional pauses and transition phrases enhance natural, confident communication.Vocabulary Corner:Trickle-down effect: When benefits or influence at the top spread throughout an organization or system.Example sentence: Helping executives improve communication can have a powerful trickle-down effect on their entire team.Barrier to entry: An obstacle that makes it difficult or expensive for something to start or enter a particular field.Example sentence: The lack of specific communication training for non-native executive leaders is a notable barrier to entry.Lost in translation: When the original meaning or impact is not accurately conveyed in another language or cultural context.Example sentence: Focusing solely on perfect English might cause valuable leadership skills to get lost in translation.Executive presence: A leader's ability to inspire confidence, command respect, and influence others through their demeanor and communication style.Example sentence: Adapting your communication to be more direct can significantly enhance your executive presence.High-frequency words: Words that are very common and used often in general communication or specific professional fields.Example sentence: To improve clarity, identify and practice the pronunciation of your high-frequency words that might be affected by your accent.Helpful Links & Tools:Podcast: Leadership English https://open.spotify.com/show/6i2KREABJOlsZmIuEoDsigInstagram & TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/asktannia/  https://www.tiktok.com/@asktanniaYouTube Channel: Tanya Suarez https://www.youtube.com/@TanniaSuarezWebsite: https://tanniasuarez.com/Become a Member! This is the place for you to boost your English skills and career growth with a supportive community — without the limitations of a packed schedule. Join our membership community here: https://fluentenglishpro.com/members/ ***********************Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4svKh6w8nUtdFwV9CzVG6h  Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fluent-english-pro/id1706003460 Follow us on Social Media: Find us on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.@fluentenglish.pro (IG) https://www.instagram.com/fluentenglish.pro/

Join Juanita Wheeler, founder of Full & Frank and Executive Director of TEDxBrisbane, as she shares her expertise in impactful public speaking. Discover how to conquer the fear of speaking, particularly as a non-native English speaker, by practicing strategic pauses and simplifying your message. Juanita emphasizes the three-act structure: identifying a problem, offering a solution, and showcasing positive outcomes. She believes that everyone has valuable ideas worth sharing, encouraging listeners to silence their self-doubt and just start speaking!

Dylan Gates, an experienced English language teacher based in southern Spain, shares his expertise in project management jargon. He highlights the importance of mastering terms like 'scope creep' and emphasizes effective communication as key to project success. Dylan discusses the necessity of contingency plans and the pivotal role of stakeholder alignment in avoiding conflicts. With practical examples and strategies, he illustrates how professionals can enhance their language skills to navigate projects smoothly and improve their business English.

Walter Freiberg, a life and language coach fluent in five languages, shares insights on how learning English fuels personal and professional growth. He discusses overcoming perfectionism and insecurity to build confidence in communication. Walter emphasizes the transformative power of language on identity and cultural connection, advocating for a growth mindset in language acquisition. He offers practical strategies like starting with 'tiny habits' to make learning manageable and enjoyable, highlighting the deep linkage between language skills and personal development.

Salma Banouri, an experienced English teacher and IELTS expert, shares invaluable tips for IELTS success after nearly two decades in education. She discusses the key differences between Academic and General IELTS, clarifying their uses for professionals. Salma emphasizes the importance of natural speaking over memorization, and explains how effective communication structure can outweigh flawless grammar. She also highlights strategies to ease test nerves and the value of understanding the exam's unique format, ensuring candidates are well-prepared.

Kerstin Cable, a language coach dedicated to helping busy professionals learn languages, shares her insights on mastering English efficiently. She discusses how to integrate short, daily practices into hectic schedules and emphasizes the importance of self-compassion in the learning process. Kerstin also highlights the role of AI tools in language acquisition, suggesting methods to leverage them without losing personal engagement. Her practical tips include accepting mistakes and setting achievable challenges to boost confidence and progress.

Brianne Rush, a career development expert and founder of The Independence Lab, shares insights on enhancing professional growth. She emphasizes the crucial role of emotional intelligence and communication skills in standing out at work. Listeners learn about her EQ5 framework, strategies for self-regulation during interviews, and how to effectively ask for promotions. Brianne also highlights the significance of career visibility and mindfulness, encouraging professionals to embrace their imperfections for better communication.

Mariana Vignola, a multilingual language coach, shares her expertise on acing IT job interviews. She emphasizes that clarity is key—candidates should speak slowly and ask for clarification when needed. Mariana highlights the balance between technical and soft skills, advocating for real-life examples to illustrate each. She also discusses the importance of showcasing personality in CVs and using AI responsibly while maintaining authenticity. Plus, practical tips for navigating common interview questions and addressing cultural nuances make this a must-listen!

Discover the vital role of small talk in professional settings and how it paves the way for trust and opportunities. Learn the nuances of cultural differences in conversations and effective strategies like active listening and open-ended questions. Uncover how mastering these skills can enhance your networking potential. From reading the room to respecting comfort levels, this discussion is packed with tips to improve your conversational English and build meaningful connections.