Posts by Naomi

Delivering a successful presentation is a skill that takes practice and refinement, especially for non-native English speakers. While the fundamentals of public speaking apply universally, non-native speakers often face unique challenges related to language and accent. With preparation and focus, however, these challenges can be turned into strengths with these public speaking tips. What Are…

The Way It’s Written Isn’t Always the Way It’s Pronounced Learning English can be confusing, especially when it comes to pronunciation. Unlike many other languages, English is not phonetic. This means that the way a word is spelled doesn’t always tell you how it should be pronounced. While spelling is crucial, it can often mislead…

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? This question highlights an important truth: communication involves both speaking and listening. We don’t communicate in a vacuum. Listeners are as important as speakers in any interaction. Every language has rules that go beyond the…

Learning a second language as an adult means you will likely have an accent. And that’s okay! The objective of accent modification training isn’t to completely lose your accent but to ensure it doesn’t interfere with your social or professional relationships. Many people see their accent as part of their identity, and some even find…

It is vital for a non-native speaker to successfully communicate in English. It is key to doing well in the workplace and to building a rewarding social life. Here are five tips to successfully communicate in your everyday conversation and interactions. 1. Listen, Listen, Listen Practice active and engaged listening. Keep your focus on the…

When looking for a new job, many individuals who speak with an accent get stressed out about how they’ll do in a non-native speaker job interview. Concerns over how they sound to the interviewer may affect their confidence and create an uncomfortable overall experience. How can you prepare for an interview? Well, the first thing…

Part 2 of 3 In this second in a series of three blogs profiling the nonprofit organization Literacy Volunteers, Meghen Fitzgibbons, ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) Program Manager at the New Haven affiliate, talks about the programs offered at to promote literacy in New Haven. AccentAccurate: What classes are offered for literacy in…