10 Communication Tips for Asian Language Speakers

These tips are based on my many years experience working with Asian language speakers on their conversation, pronunciation, and presentation skills.

Speaking Strategies

1. Aim for fluency before accuracy
   Don’t pause looking for the perfect word or grammar structure.  Slow speech seems choppy. Americans would rather hear fluid speech with some errors spoken at a normal pace than slow, monotone, carefully worded speech.
2. Be specific and explicit
   Americans don’t read between the lines like many high context cultures do. Be sure to be clear and direct in all your communications, both spoken and written.
3. Speak with conviction
   Use a full tone and proper intonation. A rising tone at the end of the sentence sounds unsure or questioning.
4. Have assertive posture, volume and projection
   Stand erect, open your chest, lift your chin and square your hips. Take up space.
5. Maintain eye contact
   Maintaining eye contact is seen as a sign of honesty and character.
   
6. Give a firm handshake
   Like eye contact, how you give a handshake is seen as a sign of your character.
7. Learn to say no directly
   Americans would rather hear no directly than have to guess what “maybe” or “perhaps” really means. They do not take direct speech as an insult.
   
8. Get comfortable with small talk
   Talk about the weather, sports, family, etc in short, simple, not too personal bits.
9. Stop apologizing
   In many Asian cultures, apologies are seen as ways to create harmony and show humility. In the US it is seen as accepting personal blame.
   
10. Clarify and paraphrase to check comprehension
    Say, “so in other words….” or “if I understand correctly, …..” to confirm you have all the key points and details.