How to introduce the meeting agenda to foreign attendees

Introducing the meeting agenda to foreign attendees involves clear, structured language to ensure everyone understands the flow and objectives, especially in multilingual settings. Speak slowly, use simple words, and share the agenda in advance via email or handouts, ideally with translations if possible. This builds confidence and keeps the group aligned from the start.

Opening Greeting

Begin with a warm welcome to set an inclusive tone.
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us today."​
Acknowledge diversity: "We're delighted to have colleagues from [countries/regions] with us."

State the Purpose

Explain why the meeting matters briefly.
"The purpose of this meeting is to [key goal, e.g., review project progress and plan next steps]."​
This helps foreign attendees grasp the big picture quickly.

Present the Agenda

Outline items clearly with timings for predictability.
"Here's our agenda for today: First, we'll cover [item 1, 10 minutes]; then [item 2, 15 minutes]; and finally [item 3, with Q&A]."​
Use visuals like slides: "You can follow along on the screen or your handout."

Invite Participation

Encourage input to make attendees feel involved.
"Does anyone have questions about the agenda? Please feel free to jump in at any time."​
For non-native speakers: "We'll pause after each section for comments."

Transition Smoothly

Move forward without rushing.
"Let's start with the first item. Over to you, [name]."​
End with: "We'll wrap up by [time]. Thank you." [conversation_history]

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