Edith Wharton hit the nail on the head.

What do health pros say about speaking in English when it’s not their first language?

We all know that a common confusion in English concerns pronunciation.

What do health pros say about speaking in English when it’s not their first language?

You’ve been invited to speak at an event about your successful approach to helping people heal.

What do health pros say about speaking in English when it’s not their first language?

Do you have the feeling that you could do so well at work if only your good enough English were better?

Talking to your family and friends is different to speaking with your clients and colleagues.

What do health pros say about speaking in English when it’s not their first language?

What do health pros say about speaking in English when it’s not their first language?

Then write out your speech word by word and read it out.

What do health pros say about speaking in English when it’s not their first language?

Ready to rev up your speaking

In follow-up visits, healthcare professionals need to ask questions that focus on what’s been happening with the patient since the last appointment.

Here are some reminders for when you’re telling patients what they need to do.

When talking about something as important as illness, patients expect to see a doctor, physio or therapist who has a good command of English.

The other day a client told me he was frustrated because it takes him too long to get out what he wants to say.

From a patient’s perspective, dealing with health professionals who communicate well can make a huge difference.

Asking questions means you have to deal with answers, but that’s not always easy.

Questions can be tricky as different word order and tenses plus intonation come into play.