Tag Archive | "Accent Reduction Coaching"
Accent Reduction Training on Skype Video
In my Accent Reduction Training Course I work with you one-on-one via Skype video to help you achieve your American English communication goals. This course is designed for professionals who want to reduce their foreign accents and communicate comfortably and effectively with American English speaking clients, colleagues and coworkers.
Continue reading...How Long Will It Take To Reduce My Accent?
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Most people born outside of the United States will never sound like a native born American English speaker, but you can make changes to your current speech that will enable Americans to understand you. Everyone is capable of learning new sounds and patterns that will make their speech more comprehensible. Using these new sounds patterns will make speaking English much more enjoyable for you and for your listeners! How long it takes to improve your accent depends on a few variables. These include:
Continue reading...Improve Your American Accent
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Do you speak English with a foreign accent? Do you find that native English speakers find it difficult to understand you? Even though your English grammar and writing are excellent, your accent may be preventing you from communicating in your workplace, getting a promotion or even making new friends. The most effective way reduce your accent and improve the way you speak American English is to work with an accent reduction coach. That's because accent coaching is very personal. The lessons are customized to meet your specific needs and goals.
Continue reading...The Schwa Sound in American English
Thursday, April 28, 2011
In order to reduce your accent effectively, it is absolutely critical that you learn to use the schwa vowel sound. In this post I will explain what the schwa sound is and why using the schwa will improve your accent. What is the schwa sound? The schwa sound is the most common vowel sound in North American English. The schwa sounds like “uh”. It is pronounced with the mouth and tongue in a very relaxed position. The schwa sound can be represented by any vowel. The IPA symbol for schwa is /ə/.
Continue reading...Accent Reduction for Chinese Speakers
Thursday, March 17, 2011
One accent reduction technique that Chinese speakers can use to improve their American English pronunciation is to use linking. American English speakers link or join words toegether so that they are easy to say and flow together smoothly. It often sounds like people are saying one long word since they don't leave spaces between words. Chinese speakers don't usually use linking when they speak English. This makes their speech sound choppy and difficult to understand. Here are 2 common types of linking that we use in spoken American English.
Continue reading...Sentence Stress & Focus Words in American English
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
When Americans talk they stress the CONTENT and FOCUS words in a sentence or phrase because these words are integral to the meaning of the sentence. Americans reduce the function words in a sentence because these words are not key to meaning. In spoken American English each sentence or phrase contains: A Focus word-the most important word Content words-very important for meaning Function words-not important for meaning
Continue reading...Accent Reduction Techniques- Part 1
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Do you find that Americans have trouble understanding you when you speak? Do you have to work extra hard to communicate with American friends and colleagues? You are not alone! Here are three strategies you must learn if you want to reduce your accent so that others can understand you. Accent Reduction Strategy 1-Learn to Use Syllable Stress In English words with two or more syllables, one syllable always receives strong stress or emphasis. Here is a common syllable stress pattern: 90% of two syllable English nouns are stressed on the first syllable.
Continue reading...Pronunciation of “ed” in American English
Monday, November 29, 2010
Many Spanish and Chinese speakers do not pronounce word final sounds correctly. This creates an accent. When they are speaking English, many Spanish and Chinese speakers fail to pronounce word final sounds correctly. If you do this, it contributes significantly to your accent. One problem that arises are the sounds of the past tense "ed". In American English the past tense "ed" has three different sounds. These sounds are: /d/ as in the word "loved", /ed/ as in the word "wanted" and /t/ as in the word "stopped".
Continue reading...The Benefits of Accent Reduction Coaching
Friday, September 3, 2010
Many professionals including: doctors, nurses, clergy, business executives, engineers, professors need to speak American English clearly and confidently in their work. These professionals understand that improving their spoken American English will allow them to communicate more effectively with business associates, customers, colleagues and friends. That's why many professionals are looking for the best way to reduce their accents.
Continue reading...Syllable Stress in American English
Thursday, July 2, 2009
In English words one syllable always pronounced with more emphasis than the other syllables. The vowel in the stressed syllable is lengthened and clear. We call this emphasis syllable stress. Learning to use syllable stress is one of the very best ways to improve your English pronunciation.
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Friday, January 20, 2012
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