Business meetings and conference calls are crucial for collaboration, decision-making, and project progress. However, for non-native English speakers, they can often feel intimidating. Concerns about understanding fast speech, finding the right moment to speak, or expressing ideas clearly can lead to staying silent, even when you have valuable contributions.

Participating actively and confidently in English meetings is a skill you can develop. It involves understanding meeting dynamics, being prepared, and knowing key phrases to navigate different situations. This guide provides practical phrases and tips to help you speak up and make your voice heard effectively.

Preparing for Confidence

• Review the Agenda: Understand the topics beforehand. Prepare your thoughts, data, or questions related to agenda items.
• Anticipate Vocabulary: Think about key terms or phrases related to the topics that might be used or that you might need.
• Prepare Key Points: If you need to present something or have a strong opinion, jot down your main points and supporting reasons.

Essential Phrases for Active Participation

Interrupting Politely

Sometimes you need to jump in, but do it respectfully. Wait for a slight pause if possible.

• Excuse me, could I just jump in here?
• Sorry to interrupt, but could I add something quickly?
• May I briefly interrupt?
• If I could just come in here...
• Before we move on, could I ask a question about...?

Expressing Your Opinion

Clearly state your viewpoint.

• In my opinion...
• I believe that... / I think that...
• From my perspective...
• The way I see it is...
• It seems to me that...
• I feel we should consider...
• (Stronger) I'm convinced that... / I strongly believe that...

Agreeing

Show alignment with others' points.

• I agree. / I completely agree.
• That's a good point.
• I see what you mean.
• Exactly! / Absolutely!
• I couldn't agree more.
• You're right about that.
• I share your view on this.

Disagreeing Politely

It's okay to disagree, but soften your language.

• I see your point, but...
• I understand where you're coming from, however...
• I have a slightly different perspective on this.
• I'm not sure I entirely agree with that.
• Respectfully, I think there might be another way to look at this.
• Perhaps we could consider...? (Offering an alternative)
• (More direct) I respectfully disagree.

Asking for Clarification

Don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand something.

• Could you please clarify what you mean by...?
• Sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat it, please?
• Could you explain that in a bit more detail?
• So, if I understand correctly, you're saying that...? (Checking understanding)
• Could you perhaps give an example?
• What does [term/acronym] stand for?

Summarizing Points / Checking Understanding

Ensure everyone is on the same page, especially before moving on.

• So, to summarize the main points...
• Let me just recap what we've discussed.
• If I understand correctly, we've decided to...
• So, the next steps are... Is that right?
• Just to be clear, are we all agreed on...?

Building Confidence: Tips

• Start Small: Aim to contribute just one point or question in your next meeting.
• Listen Actively: Pay close attention to understand the flow and context before jumping in.
• Use Signposting Language: Phrases like "I'd like to add...", "Moving on to...", "To build on what [Name] said..." help structure your contribution.
• Body Language (if applicable): Maintain eye contact (in person or via camera), sit upright, and lean in slightly to show engagement.
• Practice: Rehearse key phrases or points you want to make. Role-play meeting scenarios if possible.
• Don't Aim for Perfection: Focus on clear communication, not flawless grammar. Native speakers make small errors too!

Become a Confident Communicator

Actively participating in meetings demonstrates engagement, shares valuable perspectives, and boosts your professional visibility. By preparing well and using these phrases, you can overcome hesitation and contribute confidently in any English-speaking business setting.

Develop your fluency and confidence for meetings, presentations, and all aspects of business communication with Sprachlingua's focused Business English courses.