Have you ever had problems understanding native
English speakers on the telephone? If so, you are not alone. All English
learners have difficulties understanding people on the telephone. This is
for a number of reasons:
- People speak too quickly
- People don't pronounce the words well
- There are technical problems with the telephones
- You can't see the person you are speaking with
- It's difficult getting people to repeat information
This article focuses on the first and last problems
listed above. Follow these tips to help you get native speakers
of English to slow down!
- Immediately ask the person to speak slowly.
- When taking note of a name or important information, repeat each piece of information as the person speaks.
This is an
especially effective tool. By repeating each important piece of information or
each number or letter as they spell a word or give you a telephone number you
automatically slow the speaker down.
- Do not say you have understood if you have not. Ask the person to repeat until you have understood.
Remember
that the other person needs to make himself/herself understood and it is in
his/her interest to make sure that you have understood. If you ask a person to
explain more than twice they will usually slow down.
- If the person does not slow down begin speaking your own language!
A sentence
or two of another language spoken quickly will remind the person that they are
fortunate because THEY do not need to speak a different language to
communicate. Used carefully, this exercise in humbling the other speaker can be
very effective. Just be sure to use it with colleagues and not with a boss :-)!
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