Blog Archives

Building a Better Vocabulary

6/11/2020

Houston Public Library - Free online classes, films and resources

I want to share with you a fabulous FREE resource for free classes, films, books, ebooks and more.... I started watching, "Building a Better Vocabulary" by Kevin Flanigan, in the library's, The Great Courses, section on Kanopy.com.

I'm learning new vocabulary (yes, words, I did not know) and how English words are structured. Kevin teaches you new vocabulary, morphology, related words, how to remember them, and how to use it. Fascinating and Fun!

All you need is a library "MY LINK" card. Which is free and available online. Join me and let's learn together. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

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Speaking Tips

6/6/2020

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Hello everyone,
I hope you are safe. The unrest across the nation is extremely distressing. It's hard to describe the range of emotions I am feeling about the U.S. now. I stand for peaceful radical change. All lives matter. Your lives matter. Let's stand up for each other and positive change.
Now, to get off my "Soapbox." (Idiom: a thing that provides an opportunity for someone to air their views publicly.)

On the 1st Monday of each Month, I have a free Zoom accent reduction hour, Talk with the Coach, for the students enrolled in my 5 Day Accent Reduction Challenge (http://www.clearenglishcoach.com). The next one is July 6, 7-8:00 p.m. CST.

We were talking about ways to practice speaking, so I thought I'd share these with you.

Read out loud 10 minutes daily - good way to practice Mouth & Tongue exercises (Youtube video: https://youtu.be/lFyWC6u9bMk) intentional pronunciation of the last consonant sound, correct articulation of the American alphabet
Listen to TEDTalks: find topics that interest you and speakers that are easy to understand
Business English Pod: free podcast audio lessons with hundreds of business topics
AmericanRhetoric.com: 100 best speeches with audio and script to follow and listen for pace, pauses, inflection, intonation and articulation. Barack Obama is a wonderful speaker.
Nursery Rhymes: Youtube has lots of these, great for stressed and unstressed words, rhythm and beat
Tongue Twisters: (Google Tongue Twisters, search Youtube) great workout for your tongue coordination and flexibility

ENROLLMENT is open for my ABC’s of an American Accent. My 8 week online pronunciation course starts June 15-August 9 with video lessons/exercises Mon. Wed. & Friday, 8 hours of live Zoom coaching on Sunday with Lifetime access. Click on the link to see all the details and payment options. I’d love to have you in the course.
$100 Scholarship Coupon Code: STAYHOMEJUNE -available for the first 4 people who use it on the Full Price option
See you on June 11, 7-8:00 p.m. CST. Remember to pre-register.
Cheers,
Donna

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About Me:

I coach non-native speakers to speak with clarity and confidence. My speciality is accent reduction and American Pronunciation.

As a world traveler, l enjoy people from other cultures and want them to succeed in life.
The purpose of this blog is to provide tips to sound more "American," be understood, effectively communicate and build your self confidence.

Categories: Spoken English, Global English, Accent Reduction, Online pronunciation courses, ABC's of an American Accent, Foreign professionals, Language courses, English for Interviews, Small Talk, Foreign accents, How to learn, Business English, Successful habits, accent reduction, American Idioms, Group Classes, phrasal verbs, American English pronunciation, podcasts, Facebook Live events, Houston events, art exhibitions, Meet and Speak English, code switching, English class, online English class, Free Accent Reduction Class, language, Houston, Private coaching, speech training,

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