Although English is frequently used for international trade, it is often the second spoken language of the people involved. With this is mind, native speakers of English need to be aware that the degree to which non-native speakers of English can understand will vary from business contact to business contact.

Different cultures approach language teaching in differing ways. For example, some focus on grammar and reading whilst others prefer to place the emphasis on spoken and aural methods. As a result your may find that a business contact is unable to converse well over the telephone but can make themselves perfectly understood through an email. Additionally, certain cultures are more shy and hesitate to speak as they do not wish to make a mistake.

A number of factors can influence the English ability of business partners around the world. These include occupation, level of education, amount of international experience and region to name a few. As differences also exist between British and American English, English speakers may find it to their advantage to adjust their English to a level that will reduce misunderstanding.

• Be patient and slow the pace of speech down.
• Steer clear of becoming irritated and speaking loudly.
• Pronounce words clearly.
• Repeat key points and look for signs of understanding.
• Remember that people are making the effort to speak your language.
• Keep sentences short.
• Use visual aids whenever possible.
• Avoid:
  
  • Idioms, slang, jargon and colloquialisms
  • Either/or questions
  • Slurring your words
  • Negative questions and contradictions e.g. "It's a good deal. Isn't it?"
  • Complex sentences

• Practice listening carefully.
• Repeat key information for confirmation.
• Be aware of words that have different meanings in different cultures.

• Avoid using long or complex sentences whenever possible.
• Limit the number of points presented at one time.
• Do not use idioms, slang, jargon or colloquialisms.
• Always review what has been written and remove unnecessary words so that a non-native speaker will be able to understand it more easily.
• Use a formal written tone when style is a question.
• Open communications with an introductory statement such as a thank you.

• Adhere to standard practices and preferences of different cultures.
• Remember that emails and faxes may be seen by more than one person.
• Determine which technology is available to all parties concerned.
• Schedule regular calls or meetings and prepare and distribute agendas in advance when dealing with differing time zones.

Clear and effective communication is of benefit to all parties involved. Learning and applying the tips above will help to develop your understanding of different cultures and assist in your global business communication.

• Business writing tips for international business people (1)
• Business writing tips for international business people (2)

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