Communicate Clearly and Confidently in English - Videos on Stress, Intonation, and Communication Skills • Page 11 of 18 • English with Kim

Rising Intonation in American English | Use Rising Tone in Yes/No Questions and More

Ready to learn how to use rising intonation? In this article and video, we’re going to talk about how to use rising intonation in order to ask questions in American English. At the end, you’ll also learn the many other reasons that you may hear native speakers use rising intonation when speaking English. While falling intonation is the most common intonation pattern in American English, rising intonation is the most versatile. In order to … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Falling Intonation in American English | Falling Tone in Statements and Information Questions

If you’ve been hanging around here for even a little while, you’ve probably heard me talk about the importance of intonation in American English. Intonation is like the music of English. It’s how our voices rise and fall in order to communicate certain meaning through our tone. In this video, we’re going to talk about the most common type of intonation: falling intonation. Falling intonation is most commonly used on normal, neutral statements and information … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Pronounce and Stress Informal Contractions & Reductions in American English

Have you noticed that when you use informal contractions like “gonna,” “wanna,” “dunno,” “hafta,” you don’t exactly sound like an American? 🤔 In fact, if you’re not careful, using these informal contractions can actually draw more attention to the fact that you’re a non-native speaker and enhance your accent. In this video, I’ll explain why we use informal contractions and share twenty-two (22!) of the most common ones we regularly use in natural, relaxed speech. I’ll … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Pitch Exercises: Improve Your Stress and Intonation in American English with Steps and Glides

Have you practiced your pitch recently? If not, I encourage you to get started with these pitch exercises now so that you can be more easily understood by other English speakers. Learning to change and vary your pitch will help you: pronounce words more accurately; call attention to the most important words and ideas in your speech; and be able to express different emotions and attitudes through intonation. If you’re completely new to the … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Five Reasons Why Some English Speakers Don’t Understand You

If you’re like most non-native speakers, you’re probably concerned about whether people understand you when you’re speaking English. In this video, we’re going to talk about five reasons that some native English speakers may not understand you. The first one has absolutely nothing to do with you. So let’s get started! Reason #1: They choose not to understand you. One major reason that some native English speakers don’t understand you doesn’t have anything to do … Read the article and watch the video lesson

What to Ask When You Don’t Know the Right Word So You Can Improve Your Vocabulary in English

Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation when you couldn’t think of the word you wanted to use? You’re searching and searching and trying to find the right word to express your thoughts. Don’t worry: it happens to all of us! Sometimes we simply don’t know (or can’t remember) the right word. In a previous video, I encouraged you to “use your words” to find another way to express your ideas. … Read the article and watch the video lesson