Confidence Strategies for Non-Native Speakers
Public speaking isn’t easy. Even in your first language, standing in front of a room can spark nerves and self-doubt. The pressure to sound articulate, the worry about forgetting your point, the fear of being judged—it’s all very real. Doing it in a second language? That’s another level.
I’ve always been fairly at ease with speaking in front of people. People say I like the sound of my own voice (though not so much at karaoke!). That said, I’ve still had my moments. Pitching to major clients back in my media sales days, with everything riding on the delivery? The butterflies were more like bats flapping around.
So, I can only imagine the nerves felt by those who’ve had to present in a language they didn’t grow up speaking.
During my time working in adult English language learning in Vietnam, I saw this challenge up close. Learners would begin full of nerves, yet rise to the occasion. I witnessed individuals who once hid at the back of the room step forward with confidence, realising their ideas were worth sharing.
It wasn’t just about vocabulary and grammar. For many learners, especially in cultures where “saving face” matters, the fear wasn’t of mistakes—it was of looking foolish or losing credibility. That fear can be paralysing, and often gets misread as lack of ability. In reality, it’s the opposite. The courage it takes to speak publicly in a second language is enormous.
That’s why how we respond matters—not just as speakers, but as listeners and colleagues.
The key, I’ve found, lies in preparation and perspective. Presenting in English doesn’t mean sounding like a native speaker—it means getting your message across clearly and confidently, in your own voice. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s connection.
So if you’re facing this challenge, here are a few thoughts that might help: practise with people you trust, focus on being understood rather than sounding advanced, and remember that your accent is part of your voice, not a problem to hide.
And if you’re a native speaker listening to someone presenting in English as a second language—show some patience. Recognise how much they’ve had to overcome just to stand there.
Because the real power of communication isn’t in flawless grammar or polished delivery—it’s in the willingness to speak, and the willingness to listen.
Five strategies to present with confidence in English
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