Speaking guide
Speak up in meetings in English
In meetings the hard part is not grammar, it is timing: you have a few seconds to join, say it clearly and stop. Rehearse the things you say every week, an update, a risk, a question, and they come out on time.
A sample to rehearse
Quick update from the design side. We finished the new checkout screens on Tuesday, and testing starts tomorrow.
One risk: the payment provider hasn't confirmed the new limits yet, so the launch date might move by a week. I'll chase them today and update everyone on Thursday.
Could I ask one thing? Do we have a decision on the Spanish version, or should we keep it for the next release?
Change the details to your own, then practise your version out loud.
How to practise it
- Write it firstPut what you want to say into short sentences. Prepare three short parts: what is done, what is at risk, what you need from others.
- Say it out loud and record itSay it out loud, or to the camera. Notice where you stop in the first take; it should sound like talking, not reading.
- Listen back, then try againListen to your take and try the same script once more. A third take is usually much smoother than the first.
Common mistakes
Instead of I want to say something.
say Could I add something here?
A softer way in sounds natural in most English-speaking teams.
Instead of You are wrong.
say I see it a bit differently.
Disagree with the idea, not the person; it keeps the discussion going.
Instead of Can you repeat?
say Sorry, could you say that again? / Just to check, you mean …?
Checking what you heard is normal and shows you are following.
Useful phrases
- Quick update from …
- One thing to flag is …
- Could I add something here?
- Just to check, do you mean …?
- I'll follow up on that by …