Fluency Is Not Speed: Master Pace, Tone, and Intonation

Stop worrying that fast talking equals English fluency. Public speaking expert Maria Rincon shows non-native professionals how to leverage pace, tone, and intonation for powerful, confident communication. Learn strategies for overcoming anxiety and tapping into your core confidence for business success.

Meet Our Guest:

Maria Rincon, former UN consultant and 2025 TEDx speaker, coaches non-native English speakers in clarity and confidence. "Nervousness actually means that I care about what I'm doing”.

Top Takeaways

• Takeaway 1 Fluency relies on pace, tone, and intonation, not how fast you speak.
• Takeaway 2 Find the "sweet spot" pace—too fast suggests nervousness, too slow risks boring the audience.
• Takeaway 3 Boost confidence and reduce pressure by connecting with your playful, vulnerable "inner child".
  
  

Vocabulary Corner

Term | Meaning + Example sentence

Pacing | Meaning: The rate or rhythm at which you speak.
Example: A moderate pacing helps your audience absorb your important business message.

Intonation | Meaning: The rise and fall of your voice pitch across a full sentence.
Example: Varying your intonation stops your presentation from sounding flat or monotone.

Tone | Meaning: The emotional quality or specific emphasis given to a particular word.
Example: The tone of the email suggested that the client was very excited about the proposal.

Foreign Language Anxiety | Meaning: Stress or fear experienced when speaking a non-native language, often related to making mistakes or judgment.
Example: Using affirmation banks can help professionals battle foreign language anxiety before a big meeting.

Overachiever | Meaning: A person who performs better or achieves more success than expected.
Example: Her drive to be an overachiever resulted in great academic success and a prestigious career.

Helpful Links & Tools

• Maria Rincon's Website: www.publicspeakingwithmaria.com

• Maria C. Rincon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com

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