Speed

The ability to speak fast (and clearly) without making mistakes is usually a dead giveaway that a speaker is highly competent in a foreign language. Shockingly enough, this skill is rarely mentioned in textbooks. I have taught English as a foreign language in Germany, the United States, France and Spain, and I don't remember seeing any reference to the benefits of speaking fast nor does it seem to be a concern amongst most educators. Allusions to language efficiency do exist, but they tend to focus heavily on lexical accuracy and correct syntax, not on the speed with which you speak. And even if it is true that many C1 manuals devote pronunciation sections to connected speech, teachers usually tiptoe around those exercises.

Without fail, though, whenever I bring up this subject all kinds of defense mechanisms kick in: "You don't need to be a fast talker to get your message across" they say. And, of course, that is true. "Fast speech can be disconcerting". That is not wrong, either. Indeed speaking fast can sometimes have negative consequences. For example, it can make you seem nervous or insecure, which ultimately undermines your authority. A fast talking speed is actually not recommended when you discuss a cognitively demanding subject. As a matter of fact, I suggest you slow down your pace when you express complex ideas so that your interlocutor can process the information that you dump on them.

That said, when you are talking in a group speed can definitely be critical. A slow pace may make you sound like a textbook whereas a quick rhythm can help you come off as more authentic or natural and might even be necessary when you try and match a particular mood. Think about it for a second. Can you really be enthusiastic about something if you speak slowly? Can you show your annoyance while explaining the various reasons why you find a particular behavior unacceptable? Can you express your disbelief by saying what the hell are you talking about? at a slow speed? Probably not.

And, since speed is best perceived when you listen to a language that you don't quite understand, I think it can be eye-opening to check out the following short:

So, should you care about speaking "fast"? The short answer is: not necessarily, but in certain situations speed can truly be the cherry on the cake. Sometimes you should make a thoughtful use of pauses and command authority by speaking slowly. On other occasions you might want to speed things up a little so that your words fit a specific mood. At the end of the day, a sophisticated speaker knows when they can rattle off their thoughts machine gun-like and when they should just take it easy.