Pitch and Intonation in American English Archives • Page 2 of 6 • English with Kim

Explore Your Pitch in American English – Pitch, Stress, Intonation, and Tone of Voice

Ever asked yourself one of these questions about pitch? I don’t understand how to use pitch. Why can’t I hear pitch in my own voice? What’s the difference between pitch and volume? Are they the same thing? They sound like it. How do you use pitch to communicate meaning in English? What does tone mean in English? Is English a tonal language? What’s the difference between pitch, stress, and intonation? Some people talk about them … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Don’t Speak Fast English – Speak Clear English Instead (Here’s How)

So you want to sound more like a native English speaker. That means you have to speak fast English, right? Absolutely not! One of the biggest issues I have with American accent advice is the emphasis on speaking fast English. If you only spoke faster, you’d sound more natural and more American. 🤔 The problem with this advice is that it emphasizes speed over clarity. You may think you’ll impress people with how quickly the … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Respond Naturally in Conversations in American English with Rejoinders – Intonation Practice

Ever been in a conversation in English where you felt like someone was waiting for you to say something, but you weren’t sure exactly what? They were probably waiting for a quick response to show that you were listening and interested to encourage them to go on. We call these short responses or replies rejoinders, and they’re an essential part of an engaging conversation. Rejoinders are sounds, words, short expressions, or questions that we often … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Three Simple Ways to Sound More Polite and Tactful in American English

Have you ever been told that you’re too direct, too demanding, or too aggressive when you’re speaking English, especially at work? Just like kids, when we first learn a language, we focus on communicating clearly in the most straightforward way possible: I’m hungry. I want some pizza. Where is the train station? I’m looking for the ATM. This language is simple, precise, direct. As your language skills continue to evolve, you’re able to add more … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Beyond You’re Welcome: More Ways to Respond to Thanks in American English

You’ve probably noticed that we Americans tend to say “thank you” a lot. Whether we’re saying thanks for something small, showing appreciation for someone’s support, or expressing gratitude for a huge favor, you want to find a way to acknowledge our feelings. Let’s talk about how. Learn how to respond to “thank you” in American English. Saying “You’re Welcome” with Natural Stress and Intonation Here in the United States, we often respond to “thanks” with … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Find Your Voice in American English: Vocal Exercises for Non-Native Speakers (Pitch & Resonance)

Let me ask you something. How do you feel about the sound of your voice when you’re speaking English? If you’re like most people, you probably have some concerns about your voice. Maybe you feel like your pitch is too high or too low. Maybe you have trouble changing your pitch or you feel like your voice sounds a little monotone. Maybe you think your voice sounds too nasally or too high in your head, … Read the article and watch the video lesson