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 in the North or the South in the U.S., in the Western world or the Eastern, or in other regions around the globe. Accents can create conscious or unconscious positive or negative bias – the perception that an accented speaker…

In American culture, small talk is an important personal and business skill. People from other countries often don’t realize just how important small talk is in the U.S., and are surprised by how naturally small talk comes to some Americans. They also don’t know that small talk is a skill that can be learned and…

Wearing masks and social distancing can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, social distancing can make it more difficult to hear others, and masks muffle sound, making it harder to understand what’s being said. Masks also diminish our ability to benefit from visual cues, such as seeing the other person’s lip movements and facial…

American accent 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 strong accent so important, and how does speaking with a heavy accent really affect your life? This article covers 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 communications and remote work. Whether you’re conducting a business meeting, interviewing for a job, or consulting with a doctor, here are some tips to help you make…

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…

If you’re a native English speaker, think of a time when you couldn’t understand a non-native English speaker you were with. Did you pretend to understand them? Did you ask them to repeat themselves, or were you afraid to embarrass them? Did you want to suggest a resource for accent reduction, but didn’t know how…