Presenting to Multi-Cultural Groups

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Presenting to Multi-Cultural Groups

Nervous about making a presentation to a multi-cultural group? Here are few simple guidelines for getting your point across.

Keep your presentation simple. Think from the audience’s point of view. Never assume that participants speak or understand the English (or other language) that you use.

Do not use double negatives. For example, ‘I’m not suggesting you couldn’t solve the problem, but…’ could leave the listener confused. Try changing it to, ‘we all know you could solve the problem but…’.

Expect to take more time to achieve your objective.

For key messages use alternative media such as visual aids, images, handouts or translations to make sure your point is understood.

Multi-cultural audience

Consider using professional interpreters to enable all participants to contribute equally.

Keep to one idea per sentence.

Make positive direct statements. For example, instead of saying ‘we don’t want to hurry you but…’ you could say ‘we need this as soon as possible. Is this OK with you?’.

Ask others to repeat what they have understood.

Look out for alternative interpretations. For example the phrase ‘to table’ a document has a different meaning in England and the USA.

Provide regular, concise summaries of a discussion.

Paraphrase or repeat a question before answering.

If you use humour, make sure it is simple and obvious (to everyone).

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