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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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…