Video removes half the signals you rely on and adds a delay that makes turn-taking harder. Everyone struggles with this — not only second-language speakers.
Joining
- "Hi everyone, can you hear me okay?"
- "Sorry I'm a minute late."
- "I'll keep my camera off if that's alright — my connection's weak."
Technical problems
- "You're on mute."
- "You're breaking up."
- "Could you turn your camera off? It might help the audio."
- "I've lost you — could you repeat the last bit?"
- "Let me rejoin, one second."
The cross-talk problem
Lag makes two people start simultaneously constantly. There are set phrases for it:
- "Sorry, go ahead."
- "After you."
- "You first."
- "Sorry, I cut across you there."
Getting a turn
Harder on video, because you cannot lean in. Signal it explicitly:
- "Can I jump in here?"
- "Quick point on that —"
- Use the raise-hand function and then "Thanks — just wanted to add…"
If you missed something
Ask immediately. On video, the moment passes faster and the topic will have moved on.
- "Sorry, I missed that — could you say it again?"
- "Could you drop that in the chat?"
Leaving
- "I've got another call, so I'll have to drop."
- "Thanks everyone — I'll follow up by email."
Use the chat. Typing a name, a number or a link removes exactly the things that get misheard on a bad connection.
