Call with a Client

[#1]

Hello everyone,

I am new on Upwork (currently it's my fifth job) and english is not my native language. Some clients or potential clients are asking me for a zoom meeting what I fully understand, some projects are not easily communicated by chat. 

But I am not really comfortable with this, I am still learning english, have a huge lack of practice, and not used to speak in front of a camera. Of course the clients were totally comprehensive about this.

BUT I really want to change this, I mean in this way I can loose a really good client or a project that I am really enthousiastic about. Did anyone here faced this problem when he started ? If yes maybe I can have some advices on this ? 

Thank you in advance!

EDIT : when I say "still learning" I mean  I still not comfortable with it and the lack of practice have a huge impact. 

[#2]

If you're gonna claim to be fluent in English on your profile, it's not unreasonable for a client to expect you are fluent. 

[#3]

Sorry, but I don't really think you got my point.
1) I am not saying that the client is unreasonable, I said that he is totally right. 
2) I don't think we're here to judge if I am fluent or not to say "It you're gonna claim to be fluent...". 
I asked for a really simple thing, is there anything to do for that to be more comfortable to speak english in front of a camera, and I asked for advices from people who faced the same problem.

PS : English is not even my third language it's my fourth language.

[#4]

I would counsel just being honest with your clients that you understand and speak English passably, but that your oral communication skills aren't the best, so you'd prefer to keep things in text, or if a meeting is necessary, that they understand your limitations.

Be upfront about things, but I would agree that you might want to change your profile to not say you are fluent in English.  That way, a client shouldn't expect fluency, and should be more understandable if your communication skills are a little lacking in chat.  As you gain practice with clients, I think you'll find that your fluency will increase quickly.

Just my advice, your mileage may vary.

[#5]

Thanks I will take that into consideration if I can't solve the problem of facing the camera quickly. This is maybe the biggest issue right now. 
Anyway, thank you for your advice ^^

[#6]

Hi, I'm sorry you're going through this. Written language is so different than speaking the language. It sounds to me you just want some practice to fine tune your spoken English skills.

I wonder if there is a group in your area that meets to practice their English? Take an advanced English class at a community school. Find a neighbor, who is an English speaker, and talk about the day. Sponsor an exchange student program from an English-speaking country. Pay a tutor (or English speaking college student) to speak with you in English.

Good Luck!

[#7]

I've talked to clients over zoom that were apprehensive about their English. It ended up being totally fine, and they didn't have nearly the written English skills that you appear to have. The client should be most concerned with being able to communicate with you accurately, and I see no reason for you to worry about that aspect of it. Maybe they will be unreasonable? If that's the case, you probbaly wont want to work with them anyway. 

[#8]

You have to be very fluent

.

[#9 · Accepted solution]

If you have any overseas friends, I would suggest that you get into zoom calls with them to practice and become more comfortable with it. Also, to keep my English fresh and updated I frequently watch youtube videos in English language on my topics of interest, with or without subtitles in English.

[#10]

Thank you all for your responses. 
I have decided to get into zoom calls with friends to practice my english in front of a camera and and try a total immersion in the English language. I changed also my profile it is not fluent anymore.
Thanks to all again, have a nice day.