Recording your meeting while taking notes in English.
Asking questions in meetings can be tough, even for native speakers. For non-native speakers, doing it in English can be a nightmare.
Most non-native speakers are actually able to ask questions, but it takes time, and meetings—especially teleconferences and video conferences—move quickly. Follow this guide to survive English meetings.
Prepare
Benjamin Franklin once said, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
If you know what the meeting is about, then write out a few critical points in English. You will be more aware of what your priorities are, and you can zero in on those points when you take notes or ask questions.
Take notes in English
Many non-native English speakers take notes in their native language. This is easier at first, but when you need to quickly give an opinion or ask a question, you first have to translate it into English, which takes a few seconds. By then, usually someone else has cut in or the topic has moved on.
If you make the effort to first put thoughts into English, then you are well-positioned to ask questions in English right away.
You can even write your questions as you think of them. Then you can ask as soon as you get the chance.
Of course taking notes is also a salient point for lessons too. If you do not have a notebook for your English Farm lessons, then please get one and start taking notes.
In meetings, however, you may not feel confident in your English and so you may worry that your meeting notes are incorrect, or you may miss important information. The answer is easy: record it.
Record the meeting
Do this while you're taking notes in English. Then you can look back later and catch what you missed. Do not worry—you will not have to go back and listen to the entire meeting. Just follow these simple steps.
1. Start recording on your phone, but make sure you ask permission first. For instance, "Do you mind if I record this?"
2. Write a timestamp each time you take a note.
3. Write general ideas and key words—avoid writing full sentences or too many details. You can go back and fill in the notes later by listening to the recording.
Here is an example:
0:00
Start
Jack introduces 2 new hires—Mike Kennedy, Theresa May (sp?)
1:42
The new policy on the intranet.
(Details?)
4:21
New hires shadow senior consultants ONE month.
Then rely on teammate support.
Q: Strictly 1 month?
A: no.
7:25
Wrap up.
Mike works w/Jenny Jacobs
Theresa w/Don Turner.
Note that the amount of detail in the notes will very much depend on your style.
As you can see at the 1:42 mark, you will need to go back and listen to add more details. By doing this, you do not have to listen to the entire recording.
Review immediately
The best time to review your notes and fill in information is right after the meeting. All of the information during the meeting is still fresh in your mind. The longer you wait, the less you will remember.
Make sure that you write out the main points. The reality is we are all busy, and when most people go to look at their notes, they need to understand them quickly and easily. Having a well put-together list of main points will help out everyone, especially you.
Practice, practice, practice
At first, it will be difficult to take notes in English. The same goes for asking questions. But if you keep practicing, it does get easier.
Whenever you want to practice asking quick questions and taking notes in your next lesson, just ask your teacher.
—
sp—this is often written shorthand for "spelling".
cut in [phrasal verb]—another person starts talking quickly, not quite interrupting, but without pausing.