• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Global Speech Academy

Communication Solutions for Global Business

  • Consulting
    • Organizational Network Analysis
    • Global DISC Assessments
    • Communication Audits
  • Training
    • Our Training Courses
    • Communication That Works
    • Effective Virtual Meetings
    • Get to Grips with Grammar
    • Listen To Understand
    • Online Presentation Mastery
    • Powerful People Skills
    • Present with Confidence
    • Pronunciation Mastery Program
    • Speak Up Successfully
  • Coaching
  • Resources
    • Pronunciation
    • News & Events
    • Videos
  • About
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Partners
    • Our Global Clients
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • YouTube
  • Call Us +65 6914 7708
  • Consulting
    • Organizational Network Analysis
    • Global DISC Assessments
    • Communication Audits
  • Training
    • Our Training Courses
    • Communication That Works
    • Effective Virtual Meetings
    • Get to Grips with Grammar
    • Listen To Understand
    • Online Presentation Mastery
    • Powerful People Skills
    • Present with Confidence
    • Pronunciation Mastery Program
    • Speak Up Successfully
  • Coaching
  • Resources
    • Pronunciation
    • News & Events
    • Videos
  • About
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Partners
    • Our Global Clients
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • YouTube
  • Call Us +65 6914 7708

What’s the perfect speaking rate? Part 17

Speak Global English Video Series
Part 17 of 22:
What’s the perfect speaking rate?

I’m often asked whether how quickly we speak influences how well others understand us. If you speak clearly and chunk your messages well, speed shouldn’t be the reason why people misunderstand.

But the problem is, as you speed up, it gets harder for you to speak clearly. If you drop your word endings and everything mumbles together, people might have a hard time understanding you. But, if you’re able to maintain crisp enunciation despite your quick pace, your listeners shouldn’t have a problem.

That said, I know you want a real answer, so here you go…

Try not to speak in public at a rate above 200 words per minute. Even 200 is a bit high. The best rate for me, is actually somewhere between 160 and 170 words per minute.

How can you test this? Easy! Copy part of an email into a word document. Use the Word Count tool to cut the passage down to 200 words. Set your timer to 1 minute and then see how far you read (out loud) during that minute. When the timer rings count how many words are left on your page, subtract them from 200
and voila, there’s your speaking rate!

If you’d like to hear recordings of me speaking at different rates, you can visit my blog at http://bit.ly/free8-partproncourse

Please also visit:

http://facebook.com/globalspeechacademy

http://facebook.com/englishpronunciationlab

SHARE this video with your friends!
SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/heatherhansen

FOLLOW me on Twitter too! http://www.twitter.com/heatherhansen

Previous Post: « Linking Your Words for Better Flow – Part 16
Next Post: Watch more TV to improve your speech – Part 19 »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. altuko22

    November 18, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    Log in to Reply
  2. altuko22

    November 18, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    I think,you are great speaker

    Log in to Reply
  3. kurdish english

    February 7, 2014 at 12:31 am

    we see your video all day …zor spas=thank you

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search by category

  • Business Writing
  • Collaboration
  • Global English
  • Global Mindset
  • News & Events
  • Online Communication
  • People Skills
  • Pronunciation
  • Presentation Skills
  • Videos

Footer

Solutions

  • Coaching
  • Consulting
  • GSA Online
  • Training
  • – Speak up Successfully
  • – Communication That Works
  • – Effective Virtual Meetings
  • – Online Presentation Mastery
  • – Present with Confidence
  • – Powerful People Skills
  • – Get to Grips with Grammar
  • – Pronunciation Mastery Program
  • – Listen to Understand

Resources

  • Pronunciation
  • Videos
  • News & Events

Connect with Us

  • Meet the Team
  • Our Clients
Global Speech Academy Pte. Ltd.
2 Venture Drive
24-01 Vision Exchange
Singapore 608526

Tel: +65 6914 7708
Email:info@globalspeechacademy.com




Contact Us

© 2025 · Global Speech Academy Pte. Ltd.

We use cookies on our website to give you the best experience. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT