I get it. Participating in videocalls can be challenging for second-language speakers of English. Turning on the camera always makes the heart beat a little faster. But here’s the thing. By avoiding the webcam, you not only miss out on making a real connection with the people on the other side, you also miss improving your own communication skills.
Let’s unpack the 3 reasons why that is the case.
1. Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication refers to our facial expressions, the way we position our bodies, and the way we move our hands. Did you know that nonverbal communication accounts for about 55% of the overall communication process? Fifty-five! On the other hand, verbal communication—that’s when we speak—accounts for only 7%. The remaining 38% is attributed to vocal elements such as tone of voice, intonation, and other vocal indicators. When participants are speaking in a second language, there are bound to be misunderstandings. And you’ll never believe what facilitates understanding between the parties when words fail. You guessed it—body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice.
2. Authenticity
Authenticity means being yourself. Okay, great—but what if you’re a shy person—then what? Easy. If you’re shy, you can speak only when absolutely necessary, keep your answers and comments short and to the point, and not make any non essential conversation. You can also prepare ahead of time with a few notes of key ideas that you might have to communicate during the meeting. However, turning off the camera is not a professional option. Why not? Because by turning off the camera, you’re not being shy, you’re basically saying, “Hey, I don’t care enough about this meeting to show my face.” Think about this—would you hire a job candidate that keeps their camera off during an online interview—no, right?
Whatever your personality type, turning on the camera fosters a sense of authenticity and connection with your audience. They can see your attention is on the meeting—and not on social media or something else—so if a misunderstanding or clarification is necessary, the other participants will be much more willing to help out.
In the event that you do have a situation where you cannot turn on the camera either because it doesn’t work or you’re working in an environment that is distracting for others—like with young children nearby—you can simply notify others ahead of time, so they know you’re not intentionally avoiding to show your face in the meeting.
3. Bridging Language Barriers
One of the challenges faced by second-language speakers is the fear of making mistakes or being misunderstood. However, by utilizing the webcam, you can bridge those language gaps more effectively. Your visual presence adds context and clarity to your spoken words, enabling better comprehension and reducing the likelihood of misinterpretation. So, for example, if you get stuck finding a word, and others see you stuck, they are more likely to reach out to help, if they see you— versus if they do not. And you are very likely to remember any new word or phrase you learn in a situation where someone helped you out in a meeting. So be brave and proud of the fact that you are communicating in a second language, but be humble enough to accept help.
Additionally, if you cannot find the words to communicate a complex idea because you are thinking in your first language, do this. Break the information into its basic parts and state your idea in short sentences. This is actually the best way to communicate regardless of your language level. Complex is more work for everybody. Simplicity is always better.
Conclusion
Don't let webcam shyness hinder your progress in communication as a second-language English speaker. Embrace the power of your nonverbal communication, be yourself, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes or ask for help. Remember, communication is a bridge. You are one half of that bridge, and the people you speak to are the other half. So the only way for the message to get across the bridge is for everyone to do their part. For you—especially if English is your second language, that means: keep your webcam on.
I know you can do it! 😎
Commentaires