Presenting in English: From anxiety to confidence

The email arrives three weeks in advance: "Can you present the project results at next month's quarterly meeting? It'll be in English since our international partners will be joining."

Your first thought? Panic.

Presenting in your native language is challenging enough. But in English? In front of colleagues, managers, maybe even clients? It feels like a double test: professional competence and language ability.

I understand. I have prepared hundreds of professionals for English presentations. And nearly all of them approach me with the same worry: "What if I freeze mid-sentence? What if I don't understand a question? What if everyone notices my English isn't perfect?"

Here's the good news: A successful presentation in English doesn't require perfect English. It requires structure, preparation, and a handful of reliable phrases.

And that's exactly what I'll show you in this article.

Why presenting in English creates so much anxiety

A presentation isn't like a conversation. You can't look up a word if it escapes you. You can't pause and check a dictionary. All eyes are on you - and you have to keep going.

Add to that:

1. Fear of going blank
"What if I lose my train of thought mid-sentence and just... freeze?"

2. The technical component
You have to speak, point to slides, watch the time - and all that in English.

3. Questions at the end
Responding spontaneously to questions is hard in any language. In a second language? Even harder.

4. Comparison with native speakers
When your British colleague presents smoothly and eloquently, you might feel even less confident afterwards.

5. Fear of appearing incompetent
You're professionally competent. But what if your English doesn't convey that competence?

All of this is understandable. But here's the truth: Most of these fears are psychological, not linguistic.

The three pillars of a successful English presentation

A good presentation in English stands on three pillars:

1. Structure: Clear structure gives you security. When you know what comes next, you can focus on speaking, not on thinking.

2. Standard phrases: You don't need creative, original formulations. You need reliable phrases that always work - for opening, transitions, explanations, and closing.

3. Preparation: The better prepared you are, the less room there is for panic. This doesn't mean memorizing everything - but you should have your key messages clear.

The perfect structure for your English presentation

Use this proven structure - it works for almost any presentation:

1. Introduction

• Greet your audience

• Introduce yourself briefly

• Explain what you'll cover

• Give an overview of the structure

2. Main body

• Divide into 2-4 clear sections

• Use transitions between points

• Include examples and visual support

3. Summary

• Recap the main points

• Repeat your key message

4. Closing with Q&A

• Thank the audience

• Open the floor for questions

This structure gives you a roadmap - and gives your audience orientation.

Essential phrases for every stage of your presentation

Here are the phrases you actually need:

Opening and greeting

Greeting:

• "Good morning/afternoon everyone."

• "Thank you all for being here today."

• "I'm pleased to have the opportunity to present..."

Introduction:

• "My name is [Name] and I'm [Position] at [Company]."

• "For those who don't know me, I'm responsible for..."

• "I've been working on this project for the past [timeframe]."

Introducing the topic:

• "Today, I'm going to talk about..."

• "The focus of my presentation is..."

• "I'd like to give you an overview of..."

Outlining structure:

• "I've divided my presentation into three main parts."

• "First, I'll cover... Then, I'll move on to... And finally, I'll discuss..."

• "My presentation will take approximately [time]."

Clarifying questions:

• "Please feel free to ask questions at any time." (small groups)

• "I'll be happy to answer questions at the end of my presentation." (large groups)

Transitions between points

Transitions are important - they show you're in control and know where you're going.

Moving to the next point:

• "Let's move on to the next point."

• "Now I'd like to turn to..."

• "This brings me to my next topic..."

Referring back:

• "As I mentioned earlier..."

• "Going back to what I said about..."

• "To return to my previous point..."

Emphasizing something:

• "I'd like to emphasize that..."

• "It's important to note that..."

• "The key point here is..."

Giving explanations and examples

Explaining:

• "What this means is..."

• "In other words..."

• "To put it simply..."

Giving examples:

• "For example..."

• "Let me give you a concrete example."

• "To illustrate this point..."

Referring to slides:

• "As you can see on this slide..."

• "This chart shows..."

• "If you look at the data here..."

Summary and closing

Summarizing:

• "To sum up..."

• "In conclusion..."

• "So, the main points are..."

• "Let me briefly summarize what we've covered."

Closing:

• "Thank you for your attention."

• "Thank you for listening."

• "I appreciate your time today."

Inviting questions:

• "I'm happy to answer any questions."

• "Does anyone have any questions?"

• "I'd be glad to clarify any points."

Answering questions (Q&A)

For many, this is the most stressful part - having to respond spontaneously in English.

Buying time:

• "That's a good question. Let me think about that for a moment."

• "Interesting point. I would say..."

• "Thank you for asking. From my perspective..."

Asking for clarification if you didn't understand:

• "Could you please repeat the question?"

• "Just to make sure I understand - are you asking about...?"

• "I'm not sure I understood correctly. Could you clarify?"

When you don't know the answer:

• "That's a great question. I don't have that information right now, but I'll find out and get back to you."

• "I'm not sure about the exact details, but I can look into that."

• "That's outside my area of expertise, but I can connect you with someone who knows more."

Redirecting a question:

• "That's more in [colleague's name]'s area. Perhaps they can answer that?"

• "I think [name] would be better positioned to answer that question."

Common mistakes to avoid

Mistake 1: Too much text on slides

Your slides should support you, not replace you. Use bullet points, images, diagrams - but not complete sentences to read from.

Why? When you read from slides, you lose connection with the audience. And your English sounds stiff.

Mistake 2: Speaking too fast

When you're nervous, you speak faster. But fast speaking in English increases error rates - and makes it harder to follow.

The solution: Breathe consciously. Pause between sentences. Slow, clear speaking sounds more confident than rushed stammering.

Mistake 3: Apologizing

"Sorry, my English isn't very good" or "I apologize for my accent" - this undermines your credibility from the start.

The truth: Nobody expects perfect English. They expect professional competence. So speak confidently, even if you make small mistakes.

Mistake 4: No backup plan for technical problems

The projector doesn't work. The slides won't open. It happens.

The solution: Be able to present your main points even without slides. Or have a printout ready.

Mistake 5: Ignoring or dismissing questions

When someone asks a question you can't answer, it looks unprofessional to simply skip over it.

Better: Be honest. "That's a good question. I don't have the answer off the top of my head, but I'll find out for you."

Preparation is everything: how to practice effectively

1. Write down key points - not the entire text

You don't want to memorize. You want to internalize the structure.

Write bullet points for:

• Opening

• Main points (2-4)

• Key message

• Closing

2. Practice out loud - alone and with an audience

Practicing presentations out loud is crucial. Your brain gets used to the phrases.

Practice multiple times:

• Once alone in front of a mirror

• Once with someone you trust (partner, colleague, teacher)

• Once with a timer to check timing

3. Record yourself

Use your phone and film yourself. Yes, it feels awkward. But it helps enormously.

You'll see:

• Where you appear uncertain

• Whether you're speaking too fast

• Whether your body language conveys confidence

4. Prepare for potential questions

Think: What questions might come up? And how would you answer them in English?

Write down 3-5 possible questions and formulate brief answers.

5. Memorize your first slide

The first 30 seconds are the most nerve-wracking. When you nail the opening, the rest gets easier.

Memorize the greeting and the first two sentences. After that, it often flows naturally.

Body language and voice: more than just words

Your presentation isn't just about what you say - but how you say it.

Body language

• Stand upright. Even if you're nervous, good posture conveys confidence.

• Make eye contact. Don't stare at the slides the whole time. Look at your audience.

• Use hand gestures. This appears natural and emphasizes your points.

• Move calmly. Pacing back and forth looks nervous. But standing completely still also looks odd. Find a balance.

Voice

• Vary your pitch. A monotone voice puts people to sleep.

• Emphasize key words. "This is the key point." sounds more convincing than "This is the key point."

• Pause. After an important point: pause. This gives the audience time to process.

What to do if you actually get stuck

It happens. You're presenting, and suddenly: blank. The words don't come. You don't know what comes next.

Panic? No. Plan B:

1. Breathe calmly

Even though it feels like an eternity - two seconds of silence is okay. Breathe.

2. Use a filler phrase

"So, as I was saying..." or "Let me rephrase that..." gives you time to find your thought again.

3. Look at your notes

That's what they are for. Nobody expects you to memorize everything.

4. Be honest - with humor

"Sorry, I lost my train of thought for a moment. Where was I? Ah yes..." The audience is usually understanding.

5. Skip a point if necessary

If nothing comes at all: "Let me move on to the next point." Better to continue than to stay stuck.

Practice doesn't make perfect - but it makes confident

You don't need to deliver a perfect presentation. You need to deliver a clear and understandable presentation.

With the phrases from this article, solid structure, and targeted preparation, you have everything you need.

And every presentation you give makes the next one easier. Your brain gets used to the situation. The nervousness decreases. Confidence grows.

The first time, you might feel uncertain. By the fifth time, much better. By the tenth time, you will be more relaxed.

Small steps. Regular practice. And the realization that you don't need to be perfect - just prepared.

Need support for your next presentation?

At Linguages, I help professionals present confidently in English - with role-plays, feedback, and targeted training for your specific situation.

Whether you're presenting in English for the first time or simply want to feel more confident - together we'll prepare you optimally.

Book your free consultation now and let's talk about your next presentation.

Have you presented in English before? What was your biggest challenge? Share in the comments!