As you improve and expand your English vocabulary, you’ll find more and more opportunities to use your new words in your professional and personal communication. One place in particular that you may find an advantage in having a large and diverse vocabulary is in your work environment, especially if you have a job where you occasionally (or frequently) need to make presentations to, or interact with, many different groups of people. In order to communicate more effectively with each group, think about who you’ll be talking to, and adjust your vocabulary and your speaking style as appropriate.

If you work in a large corporation, your co-workers will probably vary in age from new interns to people with thirty years’ seniority. Although they share a common bond of working for the same organization, their personalities and experiences will be very different. Keep in mind where you are in relation to their ages, and remember that words and expressions that are current and familiar to one group may not be to another. In addition, while it’s a good idea to be polite and respectful to anyone you interact with, if you’re in a group of people who are comfortable with you and with each other, you can be a little more casual in your vocabulary and speaking style. However, if you’re making a presentation or talking to a group of people who don’t have as much in common, especially if you don’t know them, stay more formal in your speech.

There will be times when you’re asked to give an impromptu speech or presentation – such as in a departmental meeting when you’re called on by the manager, or in a class when the professor picks you to explain the topic you’re currently covering – but in general, you’ll probably have some time to prepare for the event. If you know who your audience will be, you can spend some of that time tailoring your speech to suit them. In particular, make sure that you’re using vocabulary that fits the level of your audience’s familiarity with the topic. You might be an expert on finance and the best person to explain why budgetary adjustments are being made, but if you use possibly unfamiliar terms such as derivatives and residuals then you may not be effectively communicating with your listeners.

By developing your own vocabulary, you’ll have the ability to adapt your speaking style to match that of your audience. The better you’re able to communicate, the more positive feedback you’ll get, and that will help you on your path to professional success.