Give Great English Presentations in Germany: How to Make a Strong Impact
- Kunle Orankan
- Jun 12
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 19
Are you an IT professional, a manager, or a leader in Germany? Do you often need to give a "Präsentation auf Englisch" (a presentation in English)? Maybe you feel a bit nervous. You might ask yourself: "Is my English good enough?" or "Will people understand my points?" Many people also wonder how to truly connect with an international audience when English is not their first language.
I understand how you might feel. I am not a native German speaker myself. But I often give presentations in German. And I receive great feedback from my learners! They tell me they understand the main ideas and can use the knowledge. This shows that it's not about speaking a language perfectly. It's about getting your message across clearly. So, if I can do it in German, you can do it in English!
Many people worry about this. But studies show that most of our communication – often 70-93% – is not just words. This means speaking English well is important, but it's not the only thing you need for a strong presentation. What really helps is knowing your topic very well, feeling confident, and how you speak. You do not have to be a native English speaker to give a great presentation. You just need to know how to communicate in a strong way.
Your Silent Helper: Why Body Language is Your Secret Power
Imagine you have another speaker with you on stage. This speaker does not use words, but still says a lot. This is your body language (Körpersprache). It is how you use your gestures, how you stand, and your face. It can make your message stronger or weaker. In a "Präsentation auf Englisch," especially when the language is a bit difficult, your non-verbal signs (nonverbale Hinweise) become even more important. They help people trust you, show you are excited, and prove you believe in what you say.
"Ihr Körper spricht, auch wenn Sie schweigen." (Your body speaks, even when you're silent.) This German saying shows what I mean. Your body language shows your confidence, makes your points clear, and keeps people interested. This is true even if they are listening very carefully to understand your English words.
Beyond just showing confidence, science proves that body language is very powerful. Our brains are made to understand non-verbal signs quickly. When you stand in an open way (offene Körperhaltung) and use clear hand movements (zielgerichtete Gesten), your audience feels that you are more believable and trustworthy. This is not just a feeling.
Brain research shows that using strong, confident body language can even change your own brain. It can make you feel stronger. This helps you speak better. So, your body language helps your message connect more strongly, even if there are small differences in language.
My Own Story: How I Learned to Speak with Confidence
I have trained healthcare professionals in the UK for many years. My courses cover important topics like mental health and how to handle difficult situations (prevention and management of violence and aggression). My audiences are often doctors, nurses, and psychologists. I am not a medical professional myself, but I am trained and certified to teach these important courses.
One time, I was teaching in London, and a participant just stared at me. He did not blink. I thought: "Do they trust my knowledge?" "Am I good enough, especially because I am not a medical professional?" It felt like he was judging me.
But I stayed calm. I knew my material very well, I believed in my training, and I wanted to teach it effectively. During the break, I went to him. "Is everything okay?" I asked carefully.
His answer surprised me. "Yes, everything is fine," he said. "I just finished a night shift and expected to sleep during this training. Most yearly training is just a box to tick. But the way you taught this course... I could not stop watching you. It is amazing."
He was listening to every word, every movement. He was not judging me; he was truly interested.
This experience solidified a core belief for me: it does not matter if you are not a native speaker; what truly matters is your knowledge of the subject matter and your delivery. Your confidence in your topic, expressed through your voice, your presence, and most importantly, your body language, are what make people listen.
Easy Tips for a Strong Presence in English Presentations
So, how can you make sure your "silent helper" – your body – supports your message in English?
Open Body Position: Stand tall with your shoulders back and arms not crossed. This shows you are open and confident (Selbstvertrauen). Do not move your hands or feet too much, as this can show you are nervous.
Clear Hand Movements: Use your hands to make your points clearer, but not too often. Natural hand movements can help explain ideas, especially difficult ones in English. Studies show that people who use their hands well often seem more excited, confident, and clear.
Eye Contact (Blickkontakt): Look at different people in the audience. This helps you connect with them (Beziehung aufbauen) and shows you are interested. Do not just look around quickly; try to really see people.
Move with a Reason: Do not just stand in one place. You’re not a tree 🌳 🙂Move sometimes to change focus or start a new point. But make sure your movements feel natural and do not distract people.
Use Your Face (Gesichtsausdrücke): Let your face show the feelings and tone of your message. A real smile can make your audience feel comfortable. A serious face can show that a point is important. Brain studies show that when your face shows feeling, it helps your audience connect with you and feel empathy.
Practice Key Phrases: Learn common English phrases for changing topics or summarizing. For example, "Let’s dive into the details" (Lassen Sie uns in die Details eintauchen) or "To summarize" (Zusammengefasst). These simple phrases make your presentation flow smoothly and sound professional.
Talk with Your Audience: Do not just speak to your audience; talk with them. Ask questions that make them think. Share personal stories, like my London training story, to make your presentation easy to understand and remember. This helps you connect better with your listeners. It does not matter if they are IT specialists or company leaders. This makes your "Präsentation auf Englisch" much more memorable.
Remember, good body language means being real and matching your actions to your words. It makes you seem more believable and helps your audience truly connect with your content, even if the language is not their own
Make Your English Presentations Even Better
Giving a great "Präsentation auf Englisch" is more than just good grammar. It is about showing your knowledge and connecting strongly with your audience, even with language differences. Your body language is a very important tool for this.
Are you ready to make your English presentations amazing? Our "Effective Presentations Made Easy" online course has a full section on body language. It also gives you clear strategies for making good content and speaking with confidence.
Klicken Sie hier, um mehr zu erfahren und sich für unseren Online-Kurs anzumelden! (Click here to learn more and sign up for our online course!)
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