Colleagues speaking in easy English in a London hospitality workplace

How to speak easy English with international colleagues: practical tips for clear communication

Posted on September 1, 2025

While English may be the common language in London, not everyone speaks it to the same level. By adjusting how you speak, you can make conversations more inclusive and productive for your colleagues from foreign countries who struggle with their English. Here are some practical ways to help.

Separate · your · words

This is our number one tip for speaking easy English for international colleagues. Enunciate clearly and avoid blending words together. Phrases like “gonna” or “wanna” can be confusing, so opt for “going to” and “want to” instead.

Among native English speakers, “Do you want to come for lunch?” can easily become “Jawannacomefulunch?” which can be hard for foreign learners to understand! 

Speak… slowly

I didn’t realise until I lived in France that our French teacher had been speaking slow French to us on purpose so that we could catch it. A slower pace gives the listener more time to process what you’re saying. It’s not about exaggerating or sounding unnatural—just be mindful of your speed. Speaking slowly helps reduce misunderstandings and makes your message easier to follow.

Think about their language background

If your colleague’s first language is a Romance language—such as Spanish, French, Italian, or Portuguese—try using English words with Latin roots when you need to be especially clear. For example, “elegant” may be more familiar than “fancy,” and “enthusiastic” might be easier to understand than “keen.”

Send an email if it’s complicated

If the topic is complex, consider using email rather than talking face to face or using the phone. Written communication allows your colleague to read at their own pace and use translation tools like DeepL if needed. This can be especially helpful for technical or detailed information.

Offer to correct their English

If you have a good working relationship, you might ask your colleague whether they’d like help improving their English, or if they’d like it if you corrected them in private. Some people appreciate gentle corrections, while others may prefer not to be corrected.

What not to do

  • Don’t speak more loudly. They can probably already hear you!
  • Avoid English that is unique to your region if your main goal is to make your English easy for foreigners. Slang and idioms are often confusing and hard to translate.
  • Don’t give up if they didn’t understand the first time. Just calmly repeat or rephrase your message.

Help them improve their English

Supporting your colleagues in this way doesn’t just help them understand—it helps them grow. If they don’t understand what’s going on, they may feel stuck and frustrated. But if they can take part in conversations, they’ll practise and improve their English over time. This builds their confidence and strengthens rapport across your company.
Some people, with the best of intentions, avoid speaking to international colleagues because they know they struggle with English. But the best approach is to speak slowly, start with simple topics, and support them to work up from there. Your patience and encouragement can make a real difference—not just to their language skills, but to their sense of belonging in London.

Conclusion

Your colleagues have great potential in English, just slow down and separate your words. These small adjustments can make a big difference in helping your international colleagues feel confident, included, and empowered to contribute.
Read more on learning English in how to learn English in fun ways and how to speak business English fluently.
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