Some of your group may be participating in a language that is not their native tongue. If their vocabulary or pronunciation is difficult for others to understand, you can bridge the gap by clearly repeating their comments and contributions.

Go beyond the spoken word to encourage understanding: use graphics, charts, pictures, video, physical examples, role-playing and other non-verbal techniques to get your points across.

4. Encourage everyone to participate.

Newcomers bring fresh perspective. Old-timers have experience and wisdom. Locals understand ‘what’s happening here and now’. Foreigners have a ‘global’ point of view.

Be liberal with your compliments and praise. ‘That’s a very good question!’ let’s everyone know it’s safe to ask the next one. ‘Thank you for your answer!’ tells the whole room it’s safe to venture a reply.

5. Be experienced, not exceptional.

Trainers are often widely experienced and well-traveled. They can bring good value to the group, but don’t highlight the differences too much. You want respect, not distance. When connecting with an international group, a little humility goes a long way.

6. Speak the local language.

If possible, use local language, customs and examples in your presentation. This may require some preparation on your part, but it can make a very big impact on your group.

Toward the end of the Cold War, comedian Billy Crystal began a stand-up routine in Moscow by conducting the first five minutes entirely in Russian. But Billy Crystal doesn’t speak Russian; he had memorized his entire opening act in translation! The Russian audience howled their approval and continued laughing as he delivered the rest of his show in English.

7. Avoid phrases that do not translate well.

What is ‘clear as a bell’ to you may be ‘thick as mud’ in every other language. Avoid phrases that do not translate well. ‘Six of one, half a dozen of the other’, ‘by the skin of your teeth’, ‘right as rain’ and ‘chicken with your head cut off’ may translate nicely in your home town, but can bring real confusion and frustration overseas. Do you ‘catch my drift’?

8. If in doubt, leave it out.

Exercise great caution with your comments on politics, religion, sexuality, ethnic issues and humor. What is funny to one group may be downright offensive to another. There are plenty of things to laugh about in this world without poking fun at any one group. Make one mistake here and people could remember it forever.

9. Triple check all translations.

If your presentation, workbook and handouts are translated into another language, check the choice of words and phrases many times. Use a professional translator who is familiar with your field of work. Then check it again with actual participants in your group.