5 questions for a health professional about speaking in English

Sabine is a German therapist who lives in a university town. Her face-to-face therapy sessions with international students are currently via telephone or video chat.

1. How do you feel about speaking in English?
   Face-to-face is fine but online is harder and telephone is much worse.

2. What’s the hardest thing about speaking in English?
   I need to get to the point in a nice way. I want to show understanding to my clients. That’s not easy when I can’t see or use body language, so it has to come across in my tone. This is my big problem as I think I sound very direct.

3. How do you overcome this? 
   I’ve been practising with my English coach and she gives me feedback and advice.

4. What are your speaking goals?
   To show empathy when I’m speaking with my clients and make suggestions clearly but more gently.

5. What’s your advice for others who need to speak in English?
   I’ve found role plays with focused feedback very helpful. That means working with someone who can explain why it’s wrong and not just tell you it’s wrong.

For more on speaking, see here, here, and here.

Do you need to improve your speaking for work, too? My EPRO Express session can get you unstuck.

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© Christina Wielgolawski