Giving a presentation in English can feel like a double challenge: you’re not only sharing your ideas, but doing so in a second language. The good news? As a Dutch professional, your English is likely strong. But success isn’t just about language—it’s about how you prepare and how you connect with an international audience.
If you’ve already explored how Dutch and English business cultures differ, this guide builds on that foundation with practical strategies for presenting clearly, confidently, and culturally appropriately.
1. Don’t Just Translate—Think in English
Writing your presentation in Dutch and translating it later often leads to awkward phrasing or overly formal language. Instead, start in English to keep your message natural and audience-friendly.
Instead of translating literally:
- “We are with five” → “There are five of us”
- “He fell with the door into the house” → “He got straight to the point”
- “I follow you” → “I see what you mean” or “I’m with you”
Better approach:
- Use simple, active sentences:
“We implemented the new system last quarter.”
(Not: “The new system was implemented by us in the last quarter.”) - Avoid filler phrases like “In my opinion I think that…” → Just say: “I think…”
Practical tip: Read your script aloud. If it sounds natural when spoken, it’s probably clear enough for your audience.
2. Adjust Your Tone: From Direct to Diplomatic
Dutch communication tends to be direct and efficient—great qualities, but they can come across as blunt in English, especially in formal or multicultural settings.
Examples of softening your tone:
- “That’s not correct.” → “I see it a bit differently” or “That’s one perspective—here’s another way to look at it.”
- “You didn’t do this.” → “It looks like this might have been missed.”
- “We have to change this.” → “It might be worth considering a different approach.”
Use modal verbs like might, could, would, and seem to to sound more collaborative:
- “We could explore another option.”
- “It might be helpful to revisit this part.”
This isn’t about being vague—it’s about being respectful and inclusive, especially when working with international teams.
3. Focus on Pronunciation, Not Perfection
You don’t need a British or American accent to be effective. What matters is clarity—especially for key terms your audience needs to understand.
Common pronunciation pitfalls:
- “Focus” – be careful with the vowel sound
- “Colleague” – stress the first syllable: COL-league
- “Schedule” – UK: shed-yool, US: sked-jool (choose one and be consistent)
- “Data” – both day-ta and da-ta are fine—just be consistent
Industry-specific terms: Practice saying words like “stakeholder,” “deliverables,” “KPIs,” or “procurement” clearly and confidently.
Practical tip: Record yourself and listen back. You’ll catch unclear sounds or rushed delivery that you might not notice in the moment.
4. Let Your Slides Support You—Not Speak for You
Your slides should reinforce your message, not compete with it. Avoid the temptation to write full paragraphs or translate your entire script onto the screen.
Effective slide design:
- Use bullet points (no more than 5 per slide)
- Include keywords, not full sentences
- Add simple visuals or icons to illustrate key points
- Keep font size large and layout clean
Example:
Instead of this:
“In the third quarter, our strategic focus will be on increasing our overall market share by launching a series of targeted marketing campaigns, while also improving customer retention through enhanced service offerings and loyalty initiatives.”
Use this instead:
Q3 Strategy:
• Targeted campaigns
• Customer retention
• Market share growth
Practical tip: Practice presenting with your slides—not reading from them. Your audience should be listening to you, not reading ahead.
5. Prepare for the Q&A with Confidence
The Q&A can feel like the most unpredictable part—especially in English. But with a little preparation, you can handle it smoothly.
Anticipate and rehearse:
- Think of 3–5 likely questions and prepare short, clear answers.
- Practice polite responses:
- “That’s a great question—thanks for asking.”
- “Let me take a moment to think about that.”
- “I’ll need to check on that and get back to you.”
If you don’t understand a question:
- “Could you rephrase that?”
- “I’m not sure I follow—could you clarify what you mean by…?”
- “Do you mean… [paraphrase]?”
This shows confidence and professionalism—not weakness.
What If You Don’t Know the Answer?
Not knowing something in the moment doesn’t make you unprepared—it makes you human. The key is to respond with honesty and professionalism, while maintaining confidence.
Try one of these approaches:
- “That’s a great question. I don’t have the exact answer right now, but I’ll follow up with you after the session.”
- “I’m not entirely sure, but I’ll look into it and get back to you.”
- “That’s a bit outside the scope of today’s presentation, but I’d be happy to explore it further with you afterward.”
- “Let’s add that to our ‘car park’* and revisit it at the end or in a follow-up.”
These responses show that you’re thoughtful, transparent, and in control—even when you don’t have all the answers.
*In business English, a ‘car park’ (or ‘parking lot’) is a metaphorical space where off-topic or complex questions are noted for later discussion—so they don’t derail the main presentation.
Final Thoughts
Presenting in English isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being clear, confident, and culturally aware. With the right preparation, you can deliver your message in a way that resonates with international colleagues and clients.
Thanks for reading.
Keep learning, keep growing—your communication is your edge.
And may your emails be clear, your meetings short, and your confidence high.
— Stuart @ Naturally English
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