This article focuses on 12 ways for native English speakers to be clearer when speaking with non-native English speakers.

Why should you want to be clearer in your communications with your non-native English-speaking colleagues?

Why should the native English-speaking leader want to improve communications with non-native speakers?

Reasons for native English speakers to be clearer

Enhance Team Collaboration and Productivity

• Clear communication reduces misunderstandings and errors.
• It ensures everyone is aligned, leading to smoother collaboration and more efficient workflows.

Foster Inclusion and Morale

• Making an effort to communicate clearly with non-native speakers shows respect and inclusivity.
• It helps all team members feel valued and understood, boosting morale and retention.

Strengthen Global Business Relationships

• In a globalised economy, effective intercultural communication is essential for maintaining strong international partnerships.
• It improves client relations, vendor interactions, and multinational teamwork.

Improve Decision-Making

• Diverse perspectives often bring valuable insights, but only if they are heard and understood.
• Creating an environment where non-native speakers can contribute freely leads to better, more informed decisions.

Enhance Leadership Reputation

• Leaders who communicate well across language barriers are seen as more empathetic, effective, and culturally aware.
• This enhances credibility and influence, both internally and externally.

Minimize Risk

• Poor communication can lead to costly mistakes, especially in compliance, safety, or legal contexts.
• Ensuring everyone fully understands expectations reduces these risks.

Support Learning and Growth

• Clear, supportive communication helps non-native speakers develop their own skills and confidence in English.
• This investment by native English speakers to be clearer to others contributes to overall team development and loyalty.

Communication tips for ways for native English speakers to be clearer

Hopefully you now want to improve your communication when you are speaking to someone who is a non-native speaker?
Do you want to make things easier for the non-native speakers in your team?
Do you want to encourage all the native English speakers in your team to work as hard as the non-native speakers when communicating, so that the overall communication level rises? Any time the communication in a team improves, so too will the efficiency and effectiveness of the team.

Many people who have English as a first language whether they are Australian, British, Canadian, or North American, feel that they are clear especially when speaking to other native speakers. The issues arise when they are speaking to non-native speakers and often meetings and discussions take longer, and misunderstandings arise.

Nearly all native English speakers have learnt one particular type of English. Some who have grown up living in different English-speaking countries and regions may be familiar with other versions of English. Even then to communicate effectively in a global environment, they need to learn to moderate or adapt their version of English.

Here are twelve ways that will help native English speakers to be clearer. Then their non-native speaker colleagues, team members, customers and associates will have an easier time understanding what they are saying.

Ways for native English speakers to be clearer globally

1. Accent and Pronunciation

A lot of people are not aware that they have an accent. Those who know they have an accent may not be aware their accent can make the content of their conversations with others unclear. However, we all have accents. As much as possible, try and keep your accent neutral and start to be aware of what is causing confusion and what not.

If you focus on these two things, you will immediately be easier to understand:

Speak with a more neutral accent and pronounce words clearly.

Avoid mumbling or speaking with heavy regional tones.

Example

Instead of “Wanna grab a cuppa?” say.

“Would you like to get a tea or coffee?”

2. Check for Understanding

Make it part of your routine to ensure others have understood you. Invite questions and be open to repeating or explaining in a different way.

Example

Ask,

“Was that clear?” or

“Would it help if I said that another way?”

Don’t assume silence means understanding.

In particular be careful with numbers and consider writing them down to help understanding. If you are explaining the project results and say– one hundred and thirty thousand and three hundred and fifty – write 130350 in the chat and watch the smiles.

3. Basic language

Forget what you learnt at school and use basic and simple language. Try and use more general or usual words, not the difficult or uncommon ones.

Example

Instead of:

“Let’s touch base regarding the synergies in our workflow,” say.

“Let’s talk about how we can work better together.”

If you have used a word and everyone has understood it, then reuse it, don’t aim for variety. Be careful about using abbreviations as they can sound very different from the non-abbreviated version. For example:

“Will not” and “Won’t”

mean the same thing but have different sounds.

4. Global vocabulary

Try and ensure that your vocabulary is truly global and widely understood internationally.

Examples

Fortnight may not be clear, but two weeks will be.

“To play devil’s advocate” may be confusing, so use, “present the opposing argument.”

“From the horse’s mouth” will not be clear but “the main source” will be.

“I cut my teeth on that project” may make your audience think about dentists so instead use, “that project began my career and I learnt some skills.”

Instead of saying “That’s a sticky wicket,” say “That’s a difficult situation.”

Instead of “Let’s get this over the line,” say “Let’s complete this task.”

Actively watch your listeners and you may see if you or someone else uses a word which is not known. This is more difficult with a large group of people or if you are working remotely, but it is a good strategy to make into a habit.

5. Swearing and slang

You may not think you swear, and you probably don’t (much) at work. However, you may use things like:

“He gave me a bollocking.”

“The whole project was a bloody cock up.”

“Oh, sod it, I’m finishing for the day and will look at this again tomorrow.”

These types of words and phrases will not be clear to people in their second and third languages and may also cause offence. If someone asks you to explain, you may find it difficult and potentially embarrassing.

6. Word twitches

Be aware of filler words you use out of habit. These can interrupt clarity and confuse listeners.
Try and avoid word twitches like – “right” or “OK” at the end of sentences. We all do it but also try and avoid things like “you know.”
Don’t mutter or make asides. It is very easy to do this when we drop something or can’t remember a word. For example:

“Woops”

“Oh no”

“Silly me”

It is best not to mutter at all even if you have just spilled your whole cup of coffee on your foot. Keep calm and stay on topic clearly, concisely and with no asides.

7. Phrasal verbs

A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition. So, one tiny word can completely change the meaning of what you are saying.
A good example is to think about the verb ‘to get.’

To get back To return
To get back at To get revenge
To get back on (it) To restart (it)
To get over To recover
To get at To imply or to attack

There are lots more and can make your speech seem very vivid. It may be vivid, but it will not be clear and could be confusing. Phrasal verbs are especially difficult for non-native speakers. Replace them with clearer verbs where possible.

8. Speed

Don’t slow down overall but slow down whenever you pause. You can use short pauses and then longer pauses at the end of an idea or sentence. This is easier for your listeners to follow than if you are slowing down uniformly. The other disadvantage of slowing down uniformly is that you may sound:

Very …. Boring …. And ….. Very ….. Very …. Patronising.

If you make an effort to slow your speed, it will also make your listeners feel more relaxed and more confident that they are going to be able to understand. If people who are in their second or third languages notice what you are doing, they will be very grateful and feel that you are showing respect and empathy.

Example

If you usually speak quickly, try pausing between key points:

“This project is due on Friday… That means we have three days… Let’s break it into parts.”

Just remember not to speed up when there is a coffee break, or lunch, or things are going well or becoming more chatty.

9. Packaging

Don’t use too much packaging or your message may be lost. Shorter and simpler is often better. Deliver your main message early and clearly.

Example

Instead of:

“Well, I was thinking that perhaps, if everyone agrees, maybe we could possibly consider starting a bit earlier,” say

“Can we start the meeting earlier?”

Don’t use the format which combines a negative and then a positive to ask a question. For example:

“It isn’t necessary, is it?”
“We’re not meeting today, are we?”

It is difficult to understand whether this is positive or negative if you are a non-native speaker.

10. Visuals

Use visual aids when explaining ideas. Diagrams, charts, and images can help bridge language gaps.
However, if you are using visuals, then limit the words even more than usual. It is difficult to read and listen in your second or third language.

Example

When explaining a new process, share a flowchart or step-by-step slide. It supports your words and helps visual learners.

11. Constancy

ALWAYS remember that someone is in their second or third language. It is particularly easy when you know someone well to forget this. Maintain your clear communication style even when talking to other native speakers. Be consistent throughout meetings and discussions.

Example

Do not suddenly switch to fast, idiomatic English when a UK-based colleague joins the call. Maintain the same level of clarity for everyone present.

Don’t forget all these rules when you are suddenly with other native speakers particularly if they are from your own country or you know them well. It is very easy then to speak faster, to use slang, idiom, and colloquialisms, and perhaps even to have a different accent. For example, perhaps you have been in a discussion with part of your team (all in their second or third languages) and then the wider team (a lot of people in their first language) join you.

Similarly, don’t relax just because you know someone is very good at their job, very experienced internationally, or very senior. Continue to keep in mind that they are still in their second or third language.

12. Learn a new language

Start to learn a new language which is not similar to any other language that you speak. Spend at least 20 minutes per week doing this and it will serve as a clear reminder to you of how difficult and frustrating language can be.

Conclusion – Ways for native English speakers to be clearer

Clear communication is a shared responsibility. Native English speakers often do not realise the impact of their everyday language on those around them. Making small changes to how we speak can create a space for better teamwork, fewer misunderstandings, and greater inclusivity. By applying these twelve techniques to encourage native English speakers to be clearer, there will be more productive global communication. It will also show greater awareness and respect for those navigating English as a second or third language.

Further reading about global communication cultural understanding

If you work in a global team, and found, Twelve innovative ways for native English speakers to be clearer useful, then these articles will help you further with language and cultural understanding.

How to achieve success working in English in the UK
How to explain culture within your global team

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