Boost Your Industry Vocabulary for Confident Communication

Learn Exact Words Necessary for Successful Pitches and Presentations in the International Sports Industry

It can be very challenging communicating in a second language in the sports industry. Not only are you using your industry knowledge in a competitive field but if you are working internationally and English is not your native language, that gives you yet another challenge!

When I speak to those involved in sports marketing, common problems are a lack of vocabulary as well as the knowledge of how to put together what they want to say. This leads to a lack of confidence. Confidence is a major problem because it makes even harder to communicate.

This article gives you practical steps you can take to boost your vocabulary, understand how to use it and even gives advice on how to approach English so you can start communicating 'off script.' This is really useful for small talk, when you get asked questions during a presentation and more.

And when you make progress in these areas, you'll feel your confidence grow.

Let's get started....

1. Daily Practice:

Set aside 15 minutes each day to summarise your day or discuss a recent sports event in English.

This consistent routine helps build English into your daily life so it will feel more natural when you have to give a presentation or provide feedback during a meeting.

2. Expand Your Vocabulary:

Build a list of industry-specific terms related to sports products or sponsorship programs, event planning etc.

Learn a new word or phrase each day and think of ways you can use it in conversations, reports, presentations etc.

3. Learn in Context:

Following on from the point above, learning the word or phrase in the context of how it will be used also helps you remember it.

To help with this, learn common phrases used in negotiations, small talk, or introducing meetings.

You can even practise applying these phrases in simulated conversations with colleagues or friends.

4. Listen to Accents:

Watch videos or listen to podcasts featuring different English accents. Practice copying the pronunciation and intonation.

This will help you understand when you listen or hear these accents when interacting with English speaking colleagues or clients.

5. Boost Your Confidence :

People tend to criticise their English ability. This can affect their confidence. Focus on positive steps. Write down your successes in a journal. Write down when your communication was effective or you successfully pitched a sponsorship program.

Reflect on these achievements regularly especially when you notice a negative thought about your English skills. You'll feel more positive which will improve your performance.

6. Overcome Mental Blocks:

Some sports industry professionals tell me they sometimes go 'blank' when they have to speak English.

Following the above steps will help stop this. But if you also set yourself targets such as raise one idea in English or respond to a question in English when you're in small meetings or one-to-one with a colleague in a low pressure situation,

Once you can do that, set yourself a more challenging target.

Apply these six steps and you'll perform better when presenting your ideas, responding to questions or communicating in English.

You'll be impressing colleagues and clients and be on your way to boosting your career prospects.

If you really want to level up your English presentation skills in less than 10 weeks so you can achieve the results mentioned above (and a lot more) then I offer a personalised program designed just for you to solve your problems and help you reach your goals.

I did exactly that for Alejandro recently:

"Sean's presentation skills training transformed me from a nervous beginner to a confident speaker." (full testimonial is on my profile).

If you're interested, message me the word ADVICE and I will ask a couple of simple questions and if you like we can arrange a free 30 minute Zoom chat to see if you'd like to work with me and if I can help you.

Even if you don't want that, using the tips above will really help you. Good luck!