How to communicate with people who speak "really fast" in your non-native language?

Question

As a non-native speaker, I usually don't have communication problems with native speakers. However, when talking to Americans, some people tend to speak “really fast”, and at a speed where I find it challenging to “catch up”. I'm concerned if I get an interviewer like this, how should I react? Is it okay if I still speak at a pace that I feel comfortable?

Answer 1

If you absolutely struggle to understand, its totally fine to politely request by saying something like “could you please speak a little slower so that I can follow you better”. Obviously, dont interrupt while speaking. Let them finish and then politely state your request. If you miss a word here and there, let it go. No need to apologise! If you say sorry, pardon etc..they will just repeat what they said but very likely at the same speed and accent.

Why should we be shy or apologetic to do this? Times have changed and if the interviewer is not sensitive or aware of such basic things, they must be called out and feedback must be given then and there. Its a two way process- as much as they are testing you, you are testing them too. The fit needs to be mutual.

Speak at your pace. Dont speed it up if this doesn't come naturally to you. On the flip side, dont speak too slow either. Speaking at good medium pace with pauses is always better than speaking too fast specially in an interview setting. This will come with practice.

In parallel, also work on your listening skills.

Answer 2

There's two questions here:

What to do when someone speaks fast: If you don't understand you will have to speak up. However, do not interrupt them (e.g. during case prompt) and do not directly ask them to be slower. Instead, when it happens, do mention that it was a little fast for you as a non-native speaker and ask whether they could please repeat. At this point, a good interviewer will make an effort to slow down and make themselves understandable.
At which pace to speak yourself: Whatever you feel comfortable with. No point in accelerating and starting to ramble because your brain can't keep up. Slowing down speech can be an effective tool for case ownership in combination with good top-down communication, especially if your counterpart is fast-paced.

Hope this helps a bit! Best of luck!

Answer 3

Hi there,

If this is on the listening side, the best thing you can do is train your ear. Listen to audios/podcasts, watch movies etc.

If it's about speaking as fast as them, don't try! Speak at the pace that works for you. They'll understand.

Answer 4

Hello!

Two different things here:

The pace at which they speak: which you cannot control, all you can do is train yourself to this type of speakers. Do so with the classical podcasts and listening exercises that are everywhere.
The pace at which you speak: that you can always regulate, and that should be fine unless you sleak too slow

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Answer 5

Please understand that if you find hard to follow what people are saying in a given country, you may not be ready to perform work in that country. So you have to really make an effort to increase your language skills. This is important not just for your interview, but for your day 1 on the job.