Posts by Paul Halagan

If English isn’t your native language, there’s a good reason you may be struggling to master it. English has five characteristics that set it apart from your native tongue, and the first three are about having more things to learn. 1. English has more words. English has far more words than any other of the…

Everyone has an accent. Accents are influenced by where we grew up, whether it be the North vs. the South in the U.S., the Western world vs. the East, or other accents from around the globe. Conscious and unconscious bias can be affected by accents – a perception that an accented speaker is more attractive…

Small talk is both an important people skill and business skill in American culture. People from other countries don’t always initially realize just how important small talk is in the US, and can be surprised by how comfortably and naturally small talk can come to some. But the truth is that small talk is a…

There is plenty of evidence that masks can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, masks also muffle sound, making speech more difficult to understand. In addition, masks diminish our ability to benefit from visual cues such as seeing the other person’s lips and facial expressions. While it’s obvious that masks are necessary to combat…

Accent modification training helps non-native English speakers effectively communicate, enabling them to speak confidently in their day-to-day lives. But why is the ability to speak English without a heavy accent so important, and how does speaking with an accent really affect your life? This article will cover five of the most commonly asked questions about…

The Covid-19 pandemic has presented us with challenges beyond what we could have ever imagined. But it has also provided us with a terrific opportunity to embrace virtual communication and remote work. Whether you’re conducting a business meeting, interviewing for a job, or consulting with a doctor, here are some tips and tricks to help…

Part 3 of 3 In our previous two posts, Meghen Fitzgibbons, ESOL Program Manager at Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven, talked about Literacy Volunteers, its history, and the wonderful work they do around the country. She introduced us to the students and programs at the New Haven affiliate and all that makes it unique.…

Part 2 of 3 In this second in a series of three blogs profiling the nonprofit organization Literacy Volunteers, Meghen Fitzgibbons, ESOL Program Manager at Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven, talks about the programs offered at the New Haven affiliate and about all that makes this affiliate unique. AccentAccurate: What classes are offered at…

Part 1 of 3 Have you ever heard the saying, “Nothing in life is free?” Well, it turns out that Literacy Volunteers may just be the exception to this rule! I recently sat down with Meghen Fitzgibbons, ESOL Program Manager at Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven to hear firsthand about Literacy Volunteers and the…

Everyone wants to be an effective communicator. Successful communication is key to doing well in the workplace and building a rewarding social life. Here are 5 tips to keep in mind for improving conversation and everyday interaction. 1. Listen, Listen, Listen Practice active and engaged listening. This means keeping your focus on the speaker and…

Remember when you couldn’t understand the non-native speaker you were talking with? Did you pretend you understood them? Did you ask them to repeat themselves, or were you afraid to embarrass them? Maybe you wanted to make a suggestion or offer a language resource, but you didn’t know how to do it tactfully. Communicating in…